 |
| Caroline, Princess of Wales, and Princess Charlotte Sir Thomas Lawrence, 1801 Later purchased by Queen Victoria The Royal Collection |
Half a century later, Queen Victoria purchased this painting of Queen Caroline and was so fond of it that she commissioned two miniatures of Caroline’s face as seen in this painting.
 |
| Miniature of Queen Caroline Circa 1850 Watercolor on Ivory Gugliemo Faija The Royal Collection |
1 comment:
My sympathies are thoroughly with George IV on this subject; Caroline was a martial disaster.
Caroline disliked everything about George, including his lifelong mission to help England's street kids. In an era when they were often considered subhumans, George IV called them "My hidden subjects." As crown prince/regent/later king of England, he acknowledged his responsiblity to be a king towards all his subjects, including the voiceless and dispossessed. Hence he would take street urchins into his palaces, ensured they were fed and clothed, and had them taught to do housework. George IV often relaxed by doing housework; he found dusting, washing dishes and mopping floors theauraputic. He thought "nothing mean about housework" and said "there's always an honest job to be found if you can do other people's dishes." His wards seized their new opportunities and repaid their benefactor's belief in them. The saying was current in England "If you want a reliable maid or an honest valet, hire one of George's Wards."
Caroline promptly disappeared to the Continent. She lived there for most of her life, galavanting from country to country indulging in scandal.
George IV lavished as much time and attention on Charlotte as he did on his Wards, but she found him incomprehensible.
I often think of George IV's marriage to Caroline as a warning against arranged unions. Even a superficial glance at their characters showed they were incompatible. Yet parents on both sides forced the marriage through for various reasons, none of which included concern for the happiness of the 'contracting parties'. Both George and Caroline ought to have been spared this 'marriage' (really a nonmarriage) and hence able to find spouses who truly suited them.
Post a Comment