3. The Secret Marriage of George IV
Before ascending to the throne, George IV secretly married Catholic widow Maria Fitzherbert in 1785, defying laws and royal expectations. This clandestine union sparked public scandal and raised legal questions, as it violated the Royal Marriages Act of 1772 and the Act of Settlement of 1701, which prohibited the heir to the throne from marrying a Catholic. Despite the marriage’s illegality under English law, Fitzherbert believed it was valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church. The couple remained deeply attached for over two decades, even after George’s official marriage to Princess Caroline of Brunswick in 1795. For more detailed information, you can refer to the National Portrait Gallery’s coverage on Maria Fitzherbert. (npg.org.uk)
