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喬治三世漫長的統治,見證其王國與大片歐洲大陸進行的一連串軍事衝突。在他的統治初期,大不列顛在七年戰爭中擊敗法國,使大不列顛壓倒歐洲各國,成功支配着北美洲及印度地區。不過,隨着大不列顛在美國獨立戰爭的戰敗,喬治三世在美洲失去大量殖民地,這些殖民地的獨立最終促成美國立國。此,喬治亞三世參與一連串的反法戰爭,反抗拿破侖及革命的法國,這些戰爭最以拿破侖在1815年被擊敗而作結。
喬治三世晚年的管治備受精神問題擾,其精神病最初僅反出現,但來卻演變成永久性的精神失常。喬治三世的病情曾令當時的醫學界大惑不解,但現今學者一般相信他所患的是噗瑳(Porphyria)。噗瑳是血液病的一種,能夠透過服用毒藥砒霜而引,而根近世研究,亦的確現喬治三世留存世的頭髮樣本中,存有高含量的砒霜。喬治三世在1810年最一次病皇后,其太子威爾士親王喬治以攝政王身份代為統治。喬治三世在1820年駕崩,威爾士親王繼位,是為喬治四世。歷史學界對喬治三世的生平研究往往猶如“萬花筒般觀點多變”(kaleidoscpoe of changing views),這很大程度是因為受到來傳記作者的個人偏見所局限,以及受有限的歷史史料所影響的。
早年生涯
喬治王子在1738年生於倫敦諾福府,父母分是威爾士親王腓特烈與薩森-哥達的奧古斯塔,而喬治王子也是喬治二世的孫兒。由於喬治王子比原定的預産期早兩個月出生,因此他最初被認為不能活得長久,在出生同一天聖詹姆士的教區牧師進行施洗。在公1738年7月4日,牛津主教托馬斯·塞復查在諾福府為他進行公開施洗。他的教父母為瑞典國王(由巴爾的摩勳爵任代理人)、薩森-哥達公爵(由卡那封勳爵任代理人)、以及他的祖姑母普魯士女王(由已故第四代漢彌爾頓公爵之女兒夏洛特·埃德溫貴女任代理人)。
有於初出生時的悲觀估計,喬治沒有早夭,童年的他反而擁有健康的魄。然而,由於喬治二世與威爾士親王一直不和,所以喬治二世也沒有多理會過他的孫兒。直到1751年,威爾士親王因一次肺部受傷而突然身故,喬治王子遂成為王位的法定繼承人,從亡父繼承其中一個頭銜,是為愛丁堡公爵。喬治二世自此也開始多關註孫兒的情況,在喬治王子成為王位繼承人的三個星期,喬治二世就册封他為威爾士親王。到1756年春天,適值喬治的十八歲生日將至,喬治二世賞賜他入住規模宏大的聖詹姆士宮,不過在母親及她的知己標得勳爵(來曾任首相)勸說下,喬治王子拒絶國王的賞賜。喬治王子的母親(當時已為威爾士太妃)這樣做,是因為她對其翁並不信任,故此着意要年輕的喬治留在自己身邊。
婚姻
在1759年,喬治曾經與奇蒙公爵之女兒莎拉·倫諾斯貴女展出親密關係,但兩人的戀情很快就在標得勳爵的勸阻下而無疾而終。喬治自己曾寫到:“我自己是為一個偉大國的快樂與苦難而生……因此我常要違背感情做事”,話雖如此,喬治二世曾授意要喬治迎娶不倫瑞-沃爾芬比特爾的索菲婭·卡羅琳公主,可是有關婚事卻受到喬治及其母親的強烈反對而告吹。
喬治三世年紀最輕的三位金,約翰·辛格爾頓·科普利約於1785年作,為帆油畫。
翌年,喬治二世在10月25日突然駕崩,喬治遂繼承祖父的王位,是為喬治三世。同時間,為喬治覓得適的妻子亦變成一件愈益迫切的首要任務。在1761年9月8日,新君在聖詹姆士宮內的皇禮拜堂迎娶梅倫堡-施特雷利茨的索菲婭·夏洛特女公爵為妻,夫婦兩人在婚禮上平生第一次見,兩星期,兩人就一同在1761年9月22日於西敏寺加冕。值得留意的是,雖然夏洛特王常被認為相貌平凡,但喬治從沒有情婦(這和他的前兩任漢諾威裔君主和他兩名繼位的兒子有很大分),而夫婦兩人也享受真正快樂的婚姻生活。喬治與妻子共育有十五名子女,當中包括九名兒子及六名女兒。在1762年,喬治三世購入白金漢府(今白金漢宮)作為家庭成員靜養之用。
統治
早年統治
儘管喬治三世在登基時獲得政各派的歡迎,但他早年的統治卻受到政局不穩的陰影所籠罩,而這很大程度上是因為國內就七年戰爭的議題上出現重大分歧所致的。喬治日益寵信及托賴於托利官員,使得一直在政界占主導地位的輝格十分不滿,甚至於譴責喬治的行徑無異於獨裁者,與查理一世如出一轍。在1762年5月,紐卡斯爾公爵的輝格政府遭喬治以格蘭托利貴族標得勳爵所取代,此舉一再引起輝格的不滿,而標得勳爵的反對者甚至散流言,指他與王太過從甚密,從而慢慢在英格蘭激起反格蘭的偏見情緒。在1763年,七年戰爭告終,標得勳爵即在《巴黎條約》簽訂辭職,輝格遂在喬治·格倫維爾的帶領下重新執掌政府。同年期,大不列顛政府出《1763年皇公告》,定邊界綫,限大不列顛在北美的殖民地不斷西擴展的情況。有關公佈的原意旨在迫使北美殖民者能夠與美洲原居民談判,減少因土地爭端而引的前綫戰事,從而減省浩大的軍事開支。儘管這條所謂的 “公告綫”沒有對早已安頓的大多數殖民者造成多大影響,但此“公告綫”卻引起邊區殖民者的強烈不滿,繼而成為北美殖民地與大不列顛政府出現紛爭的導火綫之一,也是來美國獨立戰爭的遠因之一。另一方面,一般美洲殖民者來需大不列顛政府繳納甚低的稅捐,但大不列顛卻同時要在美洲佈置大批軍隊,鎮壓當地原居民的起義,以及防法國對美洲殖民地侵略的野心,使得大不列顛在美洲的軍費開支十分沉重。為平衡開支,格倫維爾政府在1765年引入《印花法案》,大不列顛北美殖民地的每份文件開印花稅,由於當時連報紙也收印花稅,使得反對稅的宣傳得以在北美泛流傳。與此同時,格倫維爾因試圖削弱君主特權而漸失喬治的支持,喬治曾試過遊說老皮特出閣任相,但並不成功,其喬治曾一度患病抱恙(有意見認為此病乃他日精神失常的先兆),病愈成功以羅金漢勳爵組織內閣,再行將格倫維爾罷免。
在得到皮特的幫助下,羅金漢勳爵成功撤格倫維爾那份極度不受歡迎的《印花法案》,不過羅金漢的政府並不強勢,這使他不久就在1766年被皮特取代,而喬治更皮特册封為貴族,是為查塔姆伯爵。查塔姆勳爵與喬治三世撤法案的行動,使他們在美洲殖民地的民望急升,紐約市的民衆為道謝,更在市內雙雙竪立起他們的銅像來。查塔姆勳爵在1767年因病而讓格拉夫頓公爵管治政府,但格拉夫頓公爵一直遲至1768年正式成為首相。他的政府未就在1770年垮,使得托利重新上。
新任托利首相諾斯勳爵及其政府對美洲日益不滿大不列顛的情緒十分關註,為安撫美洲殖民者,他撤銷方向美洲殖民地所收的絶大部份稅項,但卻獨留茶稅一項。茶稅對大不列顛十分重要,喬治三世甚至言茶稅是大不列顛“保持(美國殖民地稅)權利的一種稅”,可是在1773年,波士頓有暴徒為反對茶稅而登上停泊於波士頓港的運茶貨船,將茶葉傾倒入海,以作示威,史稱波士頓茶葉事件。有關事件在大不列顛引起很大的反,輿論對北美殖民者也出現不滿,而本身同情北美殖民者的查塔姆也支持諾斯勳爵,將有關事件定性為“無疑具刑事性質”。諾斯勳爵在茶葉事件生引入多項措施以作報,當中包括關閉波士頓港、修改麻省憲法,使當地立法機關的上院由君主委任産生,而不再由下院互選産生。這些措施進一步激起殖民者的不滿,他們甚而稱這些措施為“不可容忍的法案”。有學者認為,直到這個時候,喬治三世仍傾於“以政治手段解决問題,儘管有時他對內閣所作的建議成效存有懷疑,他仍然十分聽任於內閣的建議,而僅從1763年至1775年所生的事來看,喬治三世亦不應就引美國革命一事負起直接責任”。
美國獨立戰爭
美國獨立戰爭因大不列顛常規軍隊與殖民地民兵在1775年4月於新英格蘭生武裝衝突而爆。經過一年的戰,大不列顛在北美的殖民地在1776年7月宣佈從大不列顛國王獨立,建立“美利堅衆國”。而殖民地的獨立宣言也對大不列顛國王、立法機關及全國民提出多項控訴,當中包括指責喬治“拋棄此地之政務……掠奪我海域,踐踏沿岸,焚燒城鎮,殘民以逞”等等,這些評價傳到喬治,皆使他感到憤慨不平。在戰事中,大不列顛軍隊曾在1776年成功攻陷紐約市,但來英方陸軍中將約翰·伯戈因在薩拉托加戰役中率兵投降,卻很大程度導致英方從加拿大反攻的大計以失敗告終。到1778年,法國(大不列顛的主要競爭對手)與新生的美國簽訂一份友好條約,使英方形勢更為嚴峻,此時諾斯勳爵提出由查塔姆勳爵接任首相,但被喬治三世加以拒絶,並提出反建議要查塔姆勳爵入閣供職,與諾斯勳爵作。查塔姆最終拒絶作,不久以在同年逝世,其時大不列顛與法國正處於戰爭狀態,到1779年更與西班牙宣戰。
儘管他的大臣並不贊同,但喬治三世仍固執地要大不列顛與美國的革命軍戰到底,而部份大臣如古爾勳爵和韋茅斯勳爵等等都不為這場戰爭有傷尊嚴而紛紛辭職。首相諾斯勳爵與他的同僚也有同樣的意見,曾將這些意見告知喬治,但他最沒有跟隨辭職。喬治到來打消繼續增兵鎮壓美國的念頭,外表電表示“想留住賓夕凡尼亞是開玩笑”,又指已經沒有希望重奪新英格蘭,然而,他仍然下决心“永不承認美國獨立,又承諾永恆地以永無休止的持久戰爭懲罰他們的堅不服從”。喬治的計是要留住駐防於紐約、羅德島、加拿大及佛羅達的30,000名士兵,其餘部隊則負責攻擊活躍於西印度的法國及西班牙軍隊。為懲罰美國人,他又計要破壞他們的沿海商港、炸毀他們的碼頭、劫掠與焚燒他們的沿海城鎮(如康乃狄的新倫敦)、以及解除對印第安人的管,讓他們襲擊殖民地邊區的平民。喬治還相信這些行動可有效地鼓動當地的保皇、分裂大陸會議、和“持續地使造反者感到煩擾、不安和乏,終有一日,更將不滿和失望自然及無可避免地轉化為懺悔和自責”,從而乞求由他重新作出管治。可是,喬治三世這些計卻對保皇及忠心的印第安人造成破壞,而一場持久的戰爭更讓法、西兩國隨時有機可乘,組織聯艦隊,進擊不列顛群島,從而置倫敦於險境。
在1781年,英方主將康沃利斯勳爵在約鎮之圍兵敗投降的消息傳到倫敦,諾斯勳爵在議會的支持度急降,結果在翌年辭任首相。經諾斯勳爵勸服,喬治三世打消退位的念頭,而且還接受大不列顛在北美洲落敗的事實,决定授權舉行和談。《巴黎條約》及《凡爾賽條約》兩和約在1783年獲得確認,標志著美國獨立戰爭的正式結束,這兩條條約,前者要大不列顛承認美國,而者則要大不列顛放棄佛羅達與西班牙,以及容許法國人通過紐芬蘭對開的航道。在1785年,美國的約翰·亞當斯成為首任美國駐不列顛部長,這時的喬治三世已順從於世界格局,接受英、美兩國的新關係,他對亞當斯說到:“我是最一位同意(英、美)分開的,但我將是第一位去迎接美國作為獨立政權的友誼哩”。
憲煙斗北斗斗量爭
諾斯勳爵內閣在1782年垮皇后,輝格的羅金漢勳爵第二次上組閣,但在任僅數月而病故,結果喬治以謝爾本勳爵為新首相。不過,輝格政要查爾斯·詹姆士·福斯卻拒絶在謝爾本勳爵的內閣供職,要求英王委以波特蘭公爵為首相。到1783年,下議院成功迫使謝爾本下野,其政府遂由福斯-諾斯聯盟所取代。這個政府由波特蘭公爵任首相;福斯任外相;諾斯勳爵任內務大臣,但波特蘭公爵僅是政府有名無實的首腦,實權則握於福斯及諾斯勳爵二人手上。
喬治三世對於任命一些他不願意的人士到內閣供職感到苦惱,但波特蘭的內閣很快就在下院建立起優勢,使他不易撤換內閣。此外,喬治對於政府引入《印度草案》,計將印度政府的管治權力由東印度公司轉移到國會專員,也現得非常不滿。下院通過有關草案不久,喬治就授權坦普爾勳爵,着他通知上議院貴族,示誰投票通過草案,誰就是他的敵人,結果草案在他的恐嚇下被上院否决。三日,波特蘭內閣垮,由小威廉·皮特接任首相,而坦普爾勳爵也一同到內閣供職。在1783年12月17日,國會通過一項動議,譴責皇室在國會投票背施加影響,形同“重大罪行”,坦普爾勳爵亦被迫辭職。坦普爾辭職對政府造成動蕩,三個月,政府失去國會的多數優勢而解散,可是在其的大選中,皮特卻成功增加在國會的優勢而留任。
威廉·皮特
對喬治三世而言,任命皮特為首相是一個勝利,因為這證明他可以透過自己對公衆輿論與民意的詮釋來選擇首相,無依從下院的多數派來選定首相人選。而皮特在任首相期間,喬治支持他不少的政治目標,更史無前例地册封不少新貴族,好讓他在上院能夠取得足夠的支持。皮特在任首相以及之的一段時間,喬治三世在英倫的聲望甚高,公衆普遍支持他認可的太平洋探險,這使得大不列顛在1788年於澳大利亞建立新南威爾斯殖民地;到1793年,喬治三世遣往中國的特使馬嘎爾尼勳爵和副使斯當東爵士帶領使到達北京,謁見清朝的乾隆帝,他們還參加在承德避暑山莊舉辦的乾隆帝八十大壽慶典。另一方面,喬治又樂於動用自己的私人資金,大力資助皇藝學院等學機構,而英倫的科學及工業也在當時得到很大的展。英倫大衆大多都仰慕他們的國王能夠對其王忠心不二,這亦與他前兩任的漢諾威裔君主構成很大對比。
然而,喬治三世在這時的身體卻開始每下愈況,而且還出現精神問題。從現代的醫學角度出,根他的病情記錄,一般相信他患的是噗瑳。在2005年的一項研究中,研究人員更在喬治三世遺留世的頭髮樣本中驗出高含量的砒霜,從而估計他的噗瑳有可能由此引。研究人員無法追查砒霜的來源,但相信這些砒霜可能是某些藥物或化妝品的成份。喬治的噗瑳可能曾於1765年短暫病,到1788年夏天更生一次時間持久的病。喬治在1788年的那次病初期,他尚可以神志正常地在9月25日宣佈國會休會,可是此他的病情卻急轉直下,到同年11月的時候,他的精神已經嚴重錯亂,有時甚至連續數小時不停自言自語。當時喬治的診治醫生都無法解釋他的病情,而坊間更漸漸流傳有關他精神失常的流言蜚語,有人更訛稱喬治三世把大樹誤認為普魯士國王,而且還與大樹握手如儀。當國會在11月會時,喬治未能如常在國會開幕大典奉御御驾御前御史御使御制御座御用御膳御容座辭。按照慣例,君主未先辭,國會就不可會辯論,惟當年國會在喬治未有緻辭的情況下,就逕自會,就是否需要攝政王一事展開辯論。
喬治失常以,查爾斯·詹姆士·福斯與皮特立即就政府的管治問題展開爭吵。雖然兩都同意由喬治三世的長子兼法定繼承人威爾士親王擔任攝政最為理,但兩卻就攝政的法理基礎出現重大分歧。福斯認為威爾士親王絶對有權利為其有病的父王代行權力,但皮特卻反駁攝政人選需先由國會提名。除此以外,由於國會未有經御座辭就逕自會,以致國會的認受性也成為一大疑問,使有關攝政的辯論遭到一再拖延。根過往慣例,國王一旦未能出席國會開幕大典,他可以透過《誥》委任首長專員代行,而有關《誥》必需要有國璽加蓋,具有法律效力。為解决國會認受性的問題,皮特透過法律上的假設,建議負責托管國璽的大法官無需請示喬治三世,而自行將國璽蓋於《誥》。儘管大法官的行動可能屬於不法行為,但《誥》要被蓋上國璽,就必定具有法律效力。喬治三世的次子約公爵腓特烈曾就此責難皮特的建議為“違憲及非法”,但國會專員仍照舊按建議被委任,國會也在1789年2月正式會。國會會,政府立即引入《攝政草案》,當中授權以威爾士親王為攝政王,但同時又對攝政王的權力加以諸多限。《攝政草案》在同月下議院通過,但草案在提交上議院决前夕,喬治三世的主診醫生法蘭西斯·韋利斯及時把他治愈,從而使《攝政草案》作罷。喬治病愈,他確認國璽的動用與首長專員的委任屬法有效的行動,重新投入管控國。
拿破侖戰爭
喬治三世病愈,他與首相皮特的支持度不斷上升,相反,福斯與威爾士親王的支持度卻隨之下降。在1789年,法國爆受不了大革命,使法國王室被推翻,使不少不列顛的地主士紳都感到非常憂心。到1793年,法國更對大不列顛宣戰,喬治遂容許皮特提高稅率、擴充軍隊,以及臨時在戰時終止“人身保護令”的權利。大不列顛最初與奧地利、普魯士及西班牙組成第一次反法同盟,但同盟很快就因為普魯士與西班牙私下與法國媾和而在1795年破裂。大不列顛、奧地利、俄國及鄂圖曼帝國在1799年又組成第二次反法同盟,但同盟在1800年被擊潰,就剩下大不列顛繼續與法蘭西第一共和的第一執政拿破侖作戰。
在1800年5月15日,喬治在特魯劇院遭一名患上宗教妄想的男子詹姆士·哈德菲德意圖行弒,但並不成功。在此以前,他亦曾在1786年及1790年先兩次被精神失常的人士行刺,但都以事敗告終。喬治常對這些精神失常的刺客予以諒解,對其支持度有正面的影響。
在拿破侖戰爭期間也曾有較為平靜的時候,這好讓首相皮特能夠花精力專註於愛爾蘭問題。愛爾蘭曾在1798年生起義,起義被鎮壓,不列顛與愛爾蘭議會通過《1800年聯法案》,在1801年1月1日聯結大不列顛及愛爾蘭為單一國,將國號訂為“大不列顛及愛爾蘭聯王國”。喬治三世遂此機會,放棄自愛德華三世以來,任英國君主所聲稱繼承的“法國國王”頭銜。在大不列顛及愛爾蘭并州之時,有人建議喬沿之頭銜應改為“不列顛及漢諾威領地皇帝”,但喬治支持保留英國代君王使用“國王”頭銜的傳統,而沒有改稱“皇帝”。
作為其愛爾蘭政策的一部份,皮特計在大不列顛及愛爾蘭皇后,解除一些對國內羅馬天主教教徒在法律上的限,不過喬治三世卻指稱,解放天主教將違反他在加冕時立下捍衛新教的誓言。喬治三世曾就此示:
世間何處有權力能使我免於遵守那誓言上的每一句話,尤其是要我捍衛新教的一句?……不、不,我寧可在歐洲俟俟戶的乞要包,也不可以批這些(解放天主教的)措施。我可以放棄我的王位和權力;我可以從我的宮殿搬到農住;我可以把我的頭送到砧,結我的生命;但我不可以違反我的誓言。
面對來自國王與不列顛民衆對宗教改革政策的反對,皮特曾要脅以辭職相迫。而差不多在同一時間,喬治三世一度短暫病,病愈更責備這病是天主教問題迫出來的。最終在1801年3月14日,皮特不再任首相,由下議院議長亨利·阿丁頓接任。阿丁頓任內反對天主教解放、創立周年帳目制度、廢除入息稅以及開始裁軍。在1801年10月,他與法國和解,在1802年簽訂《亞眠和約》。
喬治本人並不相信與單憑《亞眠和約》就可與法國擁有“真正”的和平,他僅僅視和平為“實驗”而已。未在1803年,兩國再度互相宣戰,但公衆輿論卻普遍不信任由首相阿丁頓帶領國作戰,相反,公衆的目光重新投到皮特身上。在1804年,喬治又一次受舊病影響,病愈以,阿丁頓宣佈辭職,再度由皮特出任首相。皮特曾尋求委任福斯到內閣供職,然而喬治三世因不滿福斯鼓勵威爾士親王過著揮霍奢侈的生活而對他大不滿,且反對他加入內閣。福斯未能入閣,使另一輝格領導人物格倫維爾勳爵心感不公而拒絶加入內閣。皮特上任即專註於與奧地利、俄國及瑞典組成另一個反法同盟,但與以往的反法同盟一樣,這個第三次反法同盟隨即在1805年被瓦解。此拿破侖更乘追擊,試圖率軍入侵英格蘭,不過這個計很快隨着法國在史上著名的特拉法加海戰中,敗於英國海軍將領納爾遜勳爵而告吹。
在歐洲戰事的失利對皮特的健康狀況構成很大打擊,最更在1806年於任內病故。皮特死,誰人出掌內閣再次成為問題,而這次則由格倫維爾勳爵奪得首相一位。格倫維爾勳爵上任籌組所謂的“賢能內閣”,當中以起用查爾斯·詹姆士·福斯任外相最受關註。受時局所,喬治這次任命福斯實屬迫不得以,對福斯的態度也較之以前友善。可是福斯在1806年9月逝世,喬治與內閣陷入公開的衝突。為提高募新兵的效率,內閣建議准許羅馬天主教徒在軍隊可出任所有軍職,但喬治卻下令內閣撤建議,而且要承諾日不要再提出這樣的建議。當時內閣同意撤建議,但反對承諾日不作同類建議,結果內閣在1807年被罷免,由波特蘭公爵第二度出任首相。與第一次任相一樣,波特蘭公爵的首相之位僅屬有名無實,大權則落在財政大臣斯賓塞·珀西瓦爾手上。隨國會被解散,舉行大選,成功為新政府在下議院帶來穩固的多數優勢。自此以,喬治三世在位期間沒有再作重大的政治决定,即使來珀西瓦爾在1809年取代波特蘭公爵任相一事上,也僅起很少的影響。
晚年
在1810年,喬治的聲望達到前所未有的頂峰,但事實上,他已經因白內障而近乎失明,同時備受風濕病的擾,而且也開始病得非常嚴重。對喬治而言,他晚年的病是因為其最疼愛的幼女阿米莉亞公主於1810年病故而誘的。阿米莉亞公主的護士記述,指喬治探望他疼愛的女兒時,“每天都是悲痛與嚎哭的場……令人沮喪得難以形容”。喬治來認同有通過《1811年攝政法案》的需要,這使其長子威爾士親王喬治自1811年起擔任攝政王,攝理君職,直到喬治三世在1820年駕崩為止。到1811年年尾,喬治三世已陷入永久性精神失常的狀態,被安排到溫莎堡過著與世隔絶的孤僻生活,直到駕崩。
喬治三世完全失常,首相斯賓塞·珀西瓦爾在1812年被刺殺身亡,結果由利物浦勳爵接任。利物浦任內見證英國在拿破侖戰爭中取得最胜任利,而緊隨的維也納會議也使漢諾威的領土得以擴充,由選帝侯領地升級為王國。
1816年的半朗硬幣,由於喬治三世精神失常,雕刻師無法即場為他進行雕刻。這款被稱為“公牛頭喬治”的硬幣因激起公衆反感而收。
與此同時,喬治的健康卻不斷惡化,一方面陷入完全失明,另方面失聰的情況也愈益明顯。喬治從不知道自己在1814年被宣告成為漢諾威國王,也不知道自己的妻子已在1818年過身。在1819年聖誕節前,他甚至曾持續地自言自語達58小時,在去世前的數星期也喪失步行的能力。最在1820年1月29日,喬治三世駕崩於溫莎堡,終年81歲。臨終時,他最喜愛的兒子約公爵腓特烈與他一起。在喬治三世駕崩前六日,他的第四子肯特公爵愛德華·奧古斯塔亦在1月23日因病去世。喬治三世的遺在2月15日被安葬於溫莎堡聖喬治禮拜堂內。
喬治三世身,王位先由他的兩名兒子,即喬治四世及威廉四世繼承。由於兩人身都沒有在世的法子女,所以王位由他們的侄女維多利亞繼承。維多利亞是根德公爵唯一的法子女,遂成為漢諾威王朝最一位君主。
影響
喬治三世終年81歲又239天,在位59年又96天,這兩個紀錄超越在他以前的任英格蘭或不列顛君主。現今這個紀錄曾被他的孫女維多利亞超越,而伊利沙伯二世雖然活得比喬治長,但在位時間則仍然不及。而比較喬治三世之前三任君主,即安妮女王、喬治一世及喬治二世而言,他們三人加起來的在位時間也要比喬治三世一人短。
儘管在統治初年的聲望很高,但踏入1770年代中期以,喬治卻因革命浪潮而失去北美十三州殖民地人民的支持(相當於英國在北美殖民地的三分一人口)。從美國獨立宣言中的指控所見,喬治被指“重複地破壞和侵奪”,以及在美洲殖民地試圖建立起“絶對暴政”,這使得美國大衆一般留下喬治三世是暴君的印象。至於在愛爾蘭,喬治也因為大不列顛暴力鎮壓1798年叛亂等原因而名聲不佳。當代的學者一般對喬治三世的生平評價分成兩大陣營,一方將“意見集中於其統治期,即是他成為全國抵抗法國計及力量的崇敬象徵”的那段時期;而另一方則從他們“在喬治在位頭20年所經的痛苦派爭中,建立起他們對喬治三世的看法,因此他們在作品中反映的,往往就是反對派的意見”。從上述者的觀點展,使得一些19及20世紀初的英國歷史學家如脫利衛連爵士及厄爾斯金·梅等等,都對喬治三世的生平加諸以懷有敵意的評價。但到20世紀中期,另一些歷史學家如劉易斯·伯恩斯坦·納米爾爵士卻認為過往對喬治的評論“過於中傷”,專註重新對喬治與其統治作出評估。踏入20世紀期,學者諸如巴特菲爾德、裴瑞斯、麥考潘及亨特等,都傾以同情的角度看待喬治,把他視作命運與疾病的受害者。而時至今日,喬治三世漫長的統治,一般被視為君主政治權力萎縮的一個延續,以及君主慢慢轉形化身為國道德形象的時代。
這幅雕版畫描繪紐約市民衆在1776年倒毀喬治三世雕像的情形,但畫錯誤地把騎馬雕像畫成站立的雕像。
為紀念喬治三世及其子喬治四世,不少前英國殖民地的城鎮都被命名為喬治鎮。在英國不少地方也竪立喬治三世的雕像,當中以倫敦森麻實府外庭院,以及位於多塞特韋茅斯的雕像最有名。此外,紐約市亦曾竪立過一個喬治三世的鍍金騎馬雕像,但雕像於1776年美國獨立戰爭爆期間被倒毀。
喬治三世曾被諷刺作戲稱為“農夫喬治”,以嘲笑他喜愛處理單調平凡的瑣事多於政治。但久而久之,這個稱號漸被用來形容他實無華與節儉的性格,融為大衆的一份子,使他與其浮誇的長子構成明顯對比。喬治三世本人十分喜愛農業,在他的鼓勵下,使英國農業革命在其治下步入高潮,也令鄉間人口史無前例地上升,為日緊接着的工業革命提供充足的勞動力。
頭銜與稱號
喬治三世
的君主稱號
提及時的稱號 國王陛下
語稱號 陛下
非正式稱號 閣下
* 1738年6月4日-1751年3月31日:喬治王子殿下
* 1751年3月31日-1751年4月20日:愛丁堡公爵殿下
* 1751年4月20日-1760年10月25日:威爾士親王殿下
* 1760年10月25日-1820年1月29日:國王陛下
在大不列顛,喬治三世的官式稱號為“喬治三世;托上帝的洪福;大不列顛、法國及愛爾蘭國王;信仰的捍衛者等”。在1801年,大不列顛與愛爾蘭并州,他趁機會放棄歷史任英格蘭君主所聲稱擁有的“法國國王”稱號,同時省去自伊莉莎伯一世在位以來,就在“信仰的捍衛者”字眼後面所加的“等”字。因此,自1801年起,其稱號改成為“喬治三世;托上帝的洪福;大不列顛及愛爾蘭聯王國國王;信仰的捍衛者”。
紋章
在1749年7月27日,喬治准尉使用王國紋章,以一條有五間的蔚藍色橫條作區分,此外,橫條的中間一間亦加上一個鳶尾花圖案。喬治的父親死,他除繼承愛丁堡公爵及王位法定繼承人的紋章樣式外,其紋章亦以一條共三間的純銀白色橫條作區分。
自喬治加冕到1800年期間,喬治的紋章可以縱橫地分成四部分(如下圖左所示)。位於左上的第一部份被等分為左、右兩份,左邊繪上代英格蘭,面嚮其左,前直走的三獅子,右邊則繪上飾有鳶尾形花紋之雙邊帶,代江蘇紫蘇蘇维埃格蘭的一隻躍立中的獅子;位於右上的第二部份繪上代法國的三個鳶尾花圖案;位於左下第三部份繪上代愛爾蘭的竪琴;至於位於右下的第四部份代漢諾威,這部份再被細分成四部份,當中位於其左上的第一份畫上兩代不倫瑞,面嚮其左,前直走的獅子;位於其右上的第二份繪上以心形圖案為背景,代呂訥堡的一隻躍立中的獅子;位於其下部的第三部份則繪上一隻代威斯特法倫的銀白色駿馬;最位於中部的第四部份呈紅色的小盾狀,上繪有查理曼之冠冕,代着神聖羅馬帝國大司庫一職。
《1800年聯法案》通過,喬治的紋章有所改變,原本代法國的第二份不再繪上鳶尾花,改而繪上原本代江蘇紫蘇蘇维埃格蘭的圖案;至於原本的第一部份及第四部份則繪上原本代英格蘭的圖案,代愛爾蘭的第三部份則維持原狀。至於原本的第四部份,現在則被移到紋章的正中,且呈小盾狀。這個小盾狀的正上方原本繪有一頂選帝侯無邊呢帽,但到1816年,即漢諾威晉級成王國的兩年之,這個無邊呢帽正式被皇冠圖案取代(如下圖右所示)。
1816年起的紋章。
子女
名稱 出生日期 逝世日期 註釋
喬治四世 1762年8月12日 1830年6月26日 1795年迎娶不倫瑞-呂訥堡的卡羅琳公主,兩人有子女
約公爵腓特烈 1763年8月16日 1827年1月5日 1791年迎娶普魯士的弗雷德卡公主,兩人沒有子女
威廉四世 1765年8月21日 1837年6月20日 1818年迎娶薩斯-曼寧根的阿德萊德,兩人無活下來的法子女
長公主夏洛特 1766年9月29日 1828年10月6日 1797年下嫁符騰堡國王腓特烈,兩人沒有子女
肯特公爵愛德華·奧古斯塔斯 1767年11月2日 1820年1月23日 1818年迎娶薩森-科堡-薩爾費爾德的維多利亞公主,兩人有子女(維多利亞女王)
奧古斯塔·索菲婭公主 1768年11月8日 1840年9月22日
伊利沙伯公主 1770年5月22日 1840年1月10日 1818年下嫁黑森-洪堡伯爵領主腓特烈,兩人沒有子女
漢諾威的恩斯特·奧古斯塔斯一世 1771年6月5日 1851年11月18日 1815年迎娶梅倫堡-施特雷利茨的弗雷德卡公主,兩人有子女
薩西斯公爵奧古斯塔斯·腓特烈 1773年1月27日 1843年4月22日 曾兩次結婚,但兩次婚姻都因違反《1772年皇婚姻法案》而被未被承認。他在1793年迎娶奧古斯塔·默貴女,兩人有子女,但此婚姻在1794年被宣告無效。他在1831年迎娶塞西莉亞·安德伍德貴女(為因弗內斯女公爵),兩人沒有子女
劍橋公爵阿道弗斯 1774年2月24日 1850年7月8日 1818年迎娶黑塞-卡塞爾的奧古斯塔公主,兩人有子女
告羅士打公爵夫人瑪麗公主 1776年4月25日 1857年4月30日 1816年下嫁告羅士打公爵威廉親王,兩人沒有子女
索菲婭公主 1777年11月3日 1848年5月27日
屋大維王子 1779年2月23日 1783年5月3日
艾爾弗雷德王子 1780年9月22日 1782年8月20日
阿米莉亞公主 1783年8月7日 1810年11月2日
統治 1760年10月25日-1820年1月29日
(59 年)
加冕日期 1761年9月22日
前任 喬治二世
皇儲 喬治四世
攝政王 攝政王喬治 (1811年-1820年)
配偶 梅倫堡-施特雷利茨的夏洛特
子女
喬治四世
約公爵腓特烈
威廉四世
長公主夏洛特
肯特公爵愛德華·奧古斯塔斯
奧古斯塔·索菲婭公主
伊利沙伯公主
漢諾威的恩斯特·奧古斯塔斯一世
薩西斯公爵奧古斯塔斯·腓特烈
劍橋公爵阿道弗斯
瑪麗公主
索菲婭公主
屋大維王子
艾爾弗雷德王子
阿米莉亞公主
全名
喬治·威廉·腓特烈
頭銜
國王陛下
威爾士親王殿下
愛丁堡公爵殿下
喬治王子殿下
皇室 漢諾威王朝
皇頌歌 天佑吾皇
父親 威爾士親王腓特烈
母親 薩森-哥達的奧古斯塔公主
出生 1738年6月4日 [N.S.]
Union flag 1606 (Kings Colors).svg大不列顛倫敦
聖詹姆士場諾福府
受洗 1738年6月4日及7月4日[N.S.]
大不列顛倫敦諾福府
逝世 1820年1月29日 (81歲)
英國 英國伯郡溫莎堡
安葬日期 1820年2月15日
英國溫莎聖喬治禮拜堂
Early career
Marriage
Although George III ascended the throne when the political parties received a welcome, but the rule has been his early overshadowed by political instability, and this is largely because the domestic war on the seven major differences in the issues To the. George and Thorein increasingly specially trusted officials in the Tory party, has been in politics so dominated the Whig party very unhappy, even Qianze George De act tantamount to a dictator, and Charles I is exactly the same. In May 1762, the Duke of Newcastle was George Whig Party government won the bid to 苏格兰托利 Noble Lord Party replaced the Whig Party would again lead to dissatisfaction, and even won the bid for Lord's opponents spread rumors that he and the Queen Mother because of the close, so slowly stir in England emotional bias against Scotland. In 1763, the war ended seven years, won the bid for the Lord in the "Treaty of Paris", after signing the resignation, then the Whigs, led in Qiaozhigelun Virgin returned to power. Later the same year, British government issued the "1763 Royal Announcement," the development boundary to restrict the British colonies in North America continued westward expansion. The announcement was designed to force the colonists to North America, the indigenous inhabitants of the Americas negotiations, reduce land disputes caused by the war front, thus reducing the huge military spending. While this so-called "Notice line" does not settle most of the colonists had much impact, but this "Notice line" has aroused strong resentment among the border settlers, then as the North American colonies and Great Britain, the fuse of the government there disputes 1, is the underlying cause was one of the American Revolution. On the other hand, has always been just ordinary American colonists to the British government to pay the taxes low, but at the same time Great Britain was arranged in a large number of American troops to suppress the local indigenous inhabitants of the uprising, and the American colonies against the French invasion of ambition, so Great Britain's military spending in America is very heavy. In order to balance the costs, Grenville in 1765 the Government introduced the "Printing Act," British North American colonies to levy stamp duty on each document, even the newspapers that time stamp duty, making propaganda against the tax to be widespread in North America. At the same time, Grenville for trying to undermine the monarchy gradually lost the privileges and support of George, George, had tried to persuade any of the old Peter Chu Ge phase, but are not successful, Hou Qiaozhi once sick illness (with the view that the disease is a precursor to his later insanity), recovered after the success of the Organization to the Cabinet of Lord Rockingham, then soon dismissed Grenville.
The new Tory Prime Minister Lord North and the growing dissatisfaction of American Government is very concerned about the mood of Great Britain, in order to appease the American colonists, he withdrew to the American colonies, most of the tax collected, but left unattended for a tea tax items. Tea tax on the importance of Great Britain, George III and even taste the tea tax was made by Great Britain "to maintain (to tax the American colonies) the right to a tax," but in 1773, Boston mob to oppose the tea tax and boarded in Boston Hong Kong tea cargo transportation and dumping tea into the sea for the purpose of demonstration, known to history as the Boston Tea Party. The incident in Great Britain caused a great negative, public opinion also appeared satisfied with the North American colonists, while their sympathy for the North American colonists also support the North Chatham, Lord, will the event be characterized as "undoubtedly criminal in nature." Lord North after the incident at the tea into a number of measures for retaliation, including the closure of Boston Harbor, Massachusetts amended the constitution so that the local legislature's upper chamber appointed by the monarch, rather than elected by the lower house. These measures have further aroused the colonists grievances, they even call these measures as "intolerable Act." Some scholars believe that, until this time, George III still prefer the "political means to solve the problem, although sometimes he made recommendations on the effectiveness of the Cabinet doubt, he is still very much left to the recommendations of the Cabinet, but only from 1763 to 1775 look what happened, George III should not be on the trigger to take direct responsibility regarding the American Revolution. "
American war of independence
American war of independence for British troops and colonial militia general in April 1775 in New England and the outbreak of armed conflict. After a year of fighting, Great Britain's colonies in North America in July 1776 declared independence from Great Britain the king and establish a "United States of America." The Declaration of Independence, the colony was also King of Great Britain, the legislature made a number of complaints of all citizens, including George accused of "abandonment of the government here in my area ... ... plundering, trampled the coast, burning towns, disabled people in order to succeed," and so on, these George reached after evaluation, are unfair to his indignation. In war, the British army successfully captured in 1776 in New York City, but then the British will Yuehanboge Fanglu Jun battle shuaibing for surrender in Saratoga, has led to a large extent the British from Canada plans counterattack ended in failure. To 1778, France (Great Britain's main competitors) and the U.S. signed a new treaty of friendship to the British situation is more severe, at this time, Lord North proposed take over by the Prime Minister Lord Chatham, but was rejected George III and a counter-proposal to be worked into the cabinet, Lord Chatham, Lord cooperation with the North. Chatham ultimately refused to cooperate, and soon died in the same year, the time is in a state of war between Great Britain and France to declare war with Spain in 1779 also.
While his ministers do not agree, but still stubbornly to George III and the American Revolution British Army fighting in the end, and some ministers such as Lord and Wei Mao Sixun Ghor Jazz, etc. are not willing to have injured the dignity of the war have resigned. Prime Minister Lord North and his colleagues have the same views and have those views known to George, but he did not follow the resignation last. George later dispelled the idea of the United States continues to surge suppression, and said, "want to keep Pennsylvania a joke" and also that New England has no hope of regain, but he still determined to "never recognized American independence in which he promised to never-ending perpetual war, punish them firmly sustained disobedience. " George's plan is to keep garrison in New York, Rhode Island, Canada and Florida, 30,000 soldiers, the other forces active in the West is responsible for attacks on Indian troops in France and Spain. To punish the Americans, he plans to destroy the coastal commercial port, blow up their terminal, looting and burning of their coastal towns (such as Connecticut's New London), and the lifting of controls on the Indians, so that They attacked the colonial border civilians. George also believe that these actions can be effective in encouraging local royalist, split the Continental Congress, and "the rebels are continuing to annoyance, anxiety and weary, one day, even resentment and disappointment is inevitable natural and converted to repentance and self-blame "to beg for him back to governance. However, these plans Quedui George III and the loyal Indians royalist cause damage, but a prolonged war Gengrang French, and Spanish at any time take advantage of the two countries, coalition forces, onslaught the British Isles, which set in London in danger .
George III, the appointment of Peter is a victory for the prime minister, because it proves that he can own interpretation of public opinion and public opinion to choose the Prime Minister, do not follow the majority of the lower house of the Prime Minister sent to selected candidates. The incumbent prime minister Pitt, George supported his many political objectives, even canonized an unprecedented number of new aristocracy, the upper house so that he can secure enough support. Pitt prime minister and after a period of time, George III of England's reputation in the high, widespread public support for his recognition of the Pacific expedition, which made Great Britain in Australia in 1788 to establish a colony of New South Wales; to 1793, George III repatriated to China's special envoy Lord Macartney and Sir George Thomas Staunton Fushi led mission arrived in Beijing, and an audience of the Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong, who also participated in the Chengde Mountain Resort hosted 80 birthday celebration of Emperor Qianlong. On the other hand, George was happy to use their private funds, financial support to academic institutions such as the Royal College of Art, the British scientific and industrial development are also great at the time. Most British people are turning to their King to their hearts Wang Houzhong Fuji, which has with his two former monarch of Hanover born a great contrast.
However, the body of George III at this time began deteriorating, and there was even a spiritual problem. From the perspective of modern medicine, according to records of his condition, is generally believed that he is suffering from disease pop luster of gems. In a 2005 study, researchers also left later in George III's hair samples tested high levels of arsenic, which estimates his pop luster of gems disease may be triggered. The researchers can not trace the source of arsenic, but arsenic may believe certain drugs or cosmetics ingredients. George's pop luster of gems disease may be short-lived disease was in 1765, to the summer of 1788 there was a time of more durable disease. George in 1788 that the disease early, he still can be sane in the Sept. 25 announced that the Congressional recess, but since then his condition has nosedive to year in November, he had a serious mental disorder, and sometimes kept to himself for several hours. At that time George's diagnosis and treatment of doctors can not explain his condition, and Fang Jian more gradually spread rumors about his mental disorders, was also falsely mistaken for George III of Prussia King of the tree, but also to shake hands with a tree as a ritual. When the Congress when it reconvenes in November, George could not usual in the opening ceremony of the Congress issued a throne speech. By convention, the monarch did not speak out, Congress can not be resumed debate, but then Congress did not address the case of George, on on one's own resume, and on the need for debate regarding the Prince Regent.
George disorders after Charles James Fox and Peter immediately governance issues quarrel. Although both parties agreed that the eldest son of George III as regent and heir apparent, Prince of Wales is most reasonable, but the two parties is the legal basis on Regent significant differences. Fox is absolutely right that the Prince of Wales for their sick father took power, but Pitt has refuted Regent candidates nominated be approved by Congress. In addition, because Congress has not proceeded with by the throne speech on the resume, so that the credibility of the Congress has become a major doubt, so that the Regent was delay the debate. According to past practice, the king fails to attend the opening ceremony of the Congress, he can "Patent" commissioner appointed acting head, while the "Patent" must be stamped with the seal, only the force of law. Congressional mandate to address issues, Pitt, through legal fiction, proposals for hosting the seal of the judges do not consult George III, but the seal itself will be covered in the "Patent." Despite the judge's actions may be unlawful, but "Patent" As long as the seal is stamped, it will surely force of law. George III's second son, Frederick Duke of York has blamed Pitt's proposals on this as "unconstitutional and illegal", but still business as usual Parliamentary Commissioner for the proposed appointment, Congress also formally resumed in February 1789. Parliament resumed, the Government immediately introduce "the draft Regent", which is authorized to Prince of Wales, Regent, but at the same time the power of the prince regent to many restrictions. "The draft Regent" in the same month by the House of Commons adopted, the draft submitted to the House of Lords to vote on the eve of George III, the attending doctors 法兰西斯韦 Leith cure him in time, so that "the draft Regent" give up the idea. George recovered, he confirmed the use of the seal and the head of the appointment of the Commissioner's action is lawful and valid, and re-enter the control state.
As part of its Irish policy, Pitt plans after the merger of Great Britain and Ireland, to lift some of the Roman Catholic country in the legal limit, but George III was alleged that Catholic emancipation would violate his coronation set to defend Protestant Oath. George III have expressed:
George alone, I do not believe and "Peace of Amiens," the French could have "real" peace, he was just as peaceful as a "test" it. However, soon after in 1803, the two countries declared war on each other again, but public opinion has generally do not trust the Prime Minister Addington lead the country fighting the contrary, the eyes of the public who re-invested in the Pitt. In 1804, George has once again affected by the old disease, recovered later, Addington announced his resignation and re-appointed by the Prime Minister Pitt. Fox Pitt had sought the appointment to the cabinet worked, but George III, Prince of Wales because of dissatisfaction with Fox to encourage live a luxurious life and squandered his great discontent and objection to his joining the cabinet. Fox failed to join the cabinet, so that the other Whig leaders Lord Grenville heart a sense of injustice and refuse to join the cabinet. After Pitt took office to focus on Austria, Russia and Sweden formed another anti-French alliance, but the same old anti-French alliance, the third anti-French alliance in 1805, then was neutralized. After Napoleon even win the attempt to lead the army to invade England, but the plan soon as the French in the history of the famous Battle of Trafalgar, Lord Nelson defeated the British naval officer breaks down.
Losing the war in Europe on the health of Pitt a great fight, and eventually in 1806, died in tenure. Pitt's death, who will head the cabinet once again become a problem, but this time won by Prime Minister Lord Grenville one. After taking office, Lord Grenville formed the so-called "elite cabinet", which to only use either the Foreign Secretary Charles James Fox, the most attention. Trapped by the current political situation, the appointment of George Fox, it is not forced to, the attitude of the Fox-friendly than before. But Fox in September 1806 after the death of George and the cabinet into an open conflict. In order to improve the efficiency of recruits, the Cabinet proposed to allow Roman Catholics to serve in the armed forces of all military, but George ordered the Cabinet to withdraw the proposal, but also promised to not to make such a proposal. Cabinet agreed to withdraw the proposal at that time, but the opposition promised to no similar proposal and the cabinet was dismissed in 1807 by the Duke of Portland became the second Prime Minister. Compared with the first term of office as Prime Minister, the Duke of Portland, a position of merely nominal, power falls on the hands of Finance Minister Spencer Perceval. Parliament was then dissolved and general elections, successfully brought the new government a solid majority in the House of Commons advantage. Since then, during the reign of George III, no further major political decisions, even though Percival replaced in 1809 with the issue on any of the Duke of Portland, also played only a small impact.
81-year-old George III has 239 days throughout the year, the reign of 59 years and 96 days, the two records beyond the successive his former England or the British monarch. Today the record was only exceeded his granddaughter Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth II, although the long-lived than George, but is still less than the reign of the time. The comparison monarch George III before the third term, that Queen Anne, George I and George II, the reigning three of them combined have one short than George III.
Although the early years of popularity in the rule high, but into the mid 1770s after George lost because of the revolutionary wave of colonial North America, 13 states support (equivalent to the British colonies in North America, one third of the population). Declaration of Independence from the United States have seen the allegations, George accused of "repeated destruction and hijacked", and tried to establish colonies in the Americas "absolute tyranny", which makes the American public generally left the impression that George III was a tyrant. As for Ireland, George, and because the violent repression of Great Britain in 1798 for reasons such as bad reputation rebellion. Contemporary scholars, the general evaluation of the life of George III divided into two camps, one party would "rule can focus on its late, that he became the strength to resist the French plan and a symbol of reverence" of that period; and the other from they "reign of George the first 20 years in pain partisan struggle, to establish their views of George III, so they reflected in the works, often the opposition views." From the latter point of view the development, which some 19 and early 20th century British historian Sir if off with Lee Wei and 厄尔斯金梅, etc., are imposed on the life of George III to the evaluation of hostile . But by mid-20th century, some historians such as Sir Lewis 伯恩斯坦纳 Mill thought that in the past to George's comments "too slander", and focus on re-assessment of George and its rule. Into the late 20th century, scholars such as Butterfield, Peres, McCaw Pan and Hunt, etc., are inclined to sympathize with the point of view, George, and his fate as the victims of the disease. Today, the long rule of George III, generally regarded as the sovereign political power, a continuation of the decline, and the embodiment of the sovereign state slow transformation and moral image of the era.
To commemorate George III and his son George IV, and many former British colonies of towns have been named George Town. In many parts of the United Kingdom George III erected a statue, which in reality Fu Wai Lun Duisen Ma courtyard, and located in the most famous statue Duosetewei Plymouth. In addition, the erection of the New York City has been a gilded equestrian statue of George III, but the statue after the American War of Independence broke out in 1776 was down during the crash.
George III
Style Majesty title
* March 31, 1751 -1,751 on April 20: His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh
In Great Britain, George III's official title is "George III; asked God Hongfu; Great Britain, France and Ireland king; and other defenders of faith." In 1801, the merger of Great Britain and Ireland, he took the opportunity to abandon the claim to have served as England's monarch in "The French King" title, while eliminating the need for Zi since the reign of Elizabeth I, on the "defender of faith" behind the words The added "such as". Thus, since 1801 onwards, its title changed to become "George III; asked God Hongfu; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King; faith defenders."
Child
Frederick Duke of York, August 16, 1763 January 5, 1827 in 1791 married Princess Frederica of Prussia, the two have no children
Kent Edward Augustus Duke of November 2, 1767 January 23, 1820 married 1818 Saxony - Coburg - Saalfeld Victoria Princess, they have two children (Queen Victoria)
恩斯特奥古斯 Augustus I of Hanover, June 5, 1771 November 18, 1851 married in 1815 Mecklenburg - Strelitz of Princess Frederica, two children
Duchess of Gloucester Princess Mary April 25, 1776 April 30, 1857 1816, married the Duke of Gloucester, Prince William, the two have no children
Prince Alfred September 22, 1780 August 20, 1782
(59 years)
Crown Prince George IV
Child
William IV
Princess Augusta Sophia
Frederick Augustus Duke of Sussex
Princess Sophia
Princess Amelia
Title
His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh
Praise God Save The Queen Royal
Born June 4, 1738 [NS]
Baptized June 4, 1738 and July 4 [NS]
Windsor Castle Berkshire England United Kingdom