William IV

Born on August 21, 1765, at Buckingham House, William Henry was the third son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. Unlike his older brothers, he was not expected to inherit the crown, which allowed him to pursue a career in the Royal Navy. Entering service at age thirteen as a midshipman, he served under Admiral Robert Digby.

His naval career was authentic; he performed standard duties, including cooking, and was even arrested for a brawl in Gibraltar. His service during the American War of Independence made him the only British royal to visit America during the Revolution. George Washington famously authorized a plot to kidnap him, though it never succeeded. By 1786, he was a captain under Horatio Nelson, who praised his professional aptitude.

Although he sought active command during the Napoleonic Wars, he was largely sidelined, eventually serving in the House of Lords where he controversially opposed the abolition of slavery, citing his observations in the Caribbean.

For two decades, William lived with the Irish actress Dorothea Jordan, with whom he had ten children, all surnamed FitzClarence. This relationship provided him with a stable, domestic life at Bushy House, which he served as Ranger. Following the death of his niece, Princess Charlotte, in 1817, the royal succession became a priority.

William, being the healthiest of the king's sons, married Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen in 1818. The marriage was successful and transformative; Adelaide helped William manage his significant debts and encouraged a more disciplined lifestyle. After his marriage, William abandoned his previous habits, adopting a frugal routine that included long walks and a diet centered on barley water.

This period of stability prepared him for his eventual accession to the throne, as his older brothers, George IV and Frederick, Duke of York, were in declining health.

In 1827, William was appointed Lord High Admiral, the first to hold the office since 1709. His tenure was marked by both innovation and conflict. He pushed for improvements in naval gunnery, advocated for the construction of steam-powered warships, and restricted the use of the 'cat o' nine tails' for punishment.

However, his tendency to act without consulting his council led to friction. In 1828, he took a squadron to sea without authorization, resulting in his resignation at the request of the Duke of Wellington. This experience proved invaluable, as it taught him the necessity of working within the constitutional framework of the government.

He spent his remaining time as heir presumptive in the House of Lords, where he supported Catholic Emancipation, a stance that put him at odds with his more conservative brother, Ernest Augustus.

Ascending the throne in 1830 at age 64, William IV was the oldest person to become the British monarch until 2022. His reign was a stark departure from the extravagance of his brother, George IV. William was unassuming, often walking through London unaccompanied, and he actively worked to make the monarchy more accessible.

He was a diligent administrator, with the Duke of Wellington noting his efficiency in handling state business. His reign saw monumental legislative changes, including the Reform Act of 1832, which modernized the electoral system. Most significantly, his government abolished slavery across most of the British Empire and introduced restrictions on child labor.

He also sought to reduce royal spending, famously attempting to give away Buckingham Palace after it was damaged by fire.

William IV’s reign ended with his death on June 20, 1837. Having no surviving legitimate children, he was succeeded by his niece, Victoria, in the United Kingdom, and by his brother, Ernest Augustus, in Hanover. This succession ended the 123-year personal union between the two countries.

William’s legacy is that of a transitional monarch. He bridged the gap between the rigid, aristocratic traditions of the 18th century and the more modern, reform-oriented era of the Victorian age. While his political views were sometimes inconsistent, his willingness to accept parliamentary reforms and his efforts to make the monarchy more down-to-earth helped stabilize the institution during a time of great social change.

As of October 2026, he remains recognized for his naval background and his role in overseeing the end of the slave trade in British territories.