Description

The young George III was a poignant figure, humdrum on the surface yet turbulent beneath: hiding his own passions, he tried hard to be a father to his siblings and his nation. This intimate, fast-moving book tells their intertwined stories. His sisters were doomed to marry foreign princes and leave home forever; his brothers had no role and too much time on their hands – a recipe for disaster.

At the heart of Tillyard’s story is Caroline Mathilde, who married the mad Christian of Denmark in her teens, but fell in love with the royal doctor Struensee: a terrible fate awaited them, despite George’s agonized negotiations. At the same time he faced his tumultuous American colonies. And at every step a feverish press pounced on the gossip, fostering a new national passion – a heated mix of celebrity and sex.

Publisher Review

A joy to read, full of wit and fascinating detail. This is history told by a master storyteller -- Princess Michael of Kent * Mail on Sunday * A rollickingly good read * Observer * Stella Tillyard tells this astonishing tale with bravura * Sunday Telegraph * A very good read. There is pace, colour and well-researched writing -- Leslie Mitchell * Literary Review * In this superbly engrossing and revelatory book, Tillyard's detective instincts and clever narrative structure work together to inform and delight -- Min Wild * Independent on Sunday *