Premiering on Tuesday 4 September 1979, this £1 million eight-part BBC series starred Peter Egan as King George III’s son, George, Prince of Wales.
The episodes followed the life and times of young George from his early days of debauchery as a stgripling prince to his ascent to the throne as the ageing, gouty George IV, including his two marriages (one legal, one not), his mistresses, the famous men of his day and all the over-indulgence and frustration of waiting for his father George III to die or remain mad.
As the heir to the British throne, George considers himself talented, sensitive, and a lover of art (and of women). In the opinion of his father, the king (Nigel Davenport), however, he is a scandalous, irresponsible, lecherous drunk.
The Prince marries his beloved – the beautiful widow Maria Fitzherbert (Susannah York) – in 1786, but as she is a Catholic, the ceremony is illegal and must be kept secret.
As the King’s health declines and the Prince waits in hope to become Regent, he finds his debts increasing and realises that a second – official – marriage may solve his growing problems.
By 1795, the Prince has an “official” wife, Princess Caroline of Brunswick (Dinah Stabb), an unofficial one (Maria Fitzherbert), and a powerful and determined mistress in Lady Jersey (Caroline Blakiston).
In 1806, the Prince sees a chance for divorce from Caroline as a result of her alleged adultery, while the death of the King’s favourite daughter, Princess Amelia, contributes to a final collapse in his health, and the Prince finally assumes the Regency.
Following the Napoleonic Wars, the Regent decides that it is time for his beautiful and high-spirited daughter, Princess Charlotte (Cherie Lunghi), to marry. He wants her to marry William, the Prince of Orange (Tony Aitken), but the strong-willed Princess favours another. Her marriage ends in tragedy.
In 1820, King George III finally dies, and the Regent, now George IV, prepares for the greatest battle of his life. His adversary is his hated wife, Caroline, and he is determined to rid himself of her once and for all.
George, Prince of Wales/King George IV
Peter Egan King George III
Nigel Davenport Frederick, Duke of York
Bosco Hogan Queen Charlotte
Frances White Charles James Fox
Keith Barron Richard Sheridan
Clive Merrison Maria Fitzherbert
Susannah York Princess Caroline
Dinah Stabb Lt. Col. Lake
David Horovitch Lady Isabella Hertford
Barbara Shelley Lady Frances Jersey
Caroline Blakiston William Pitt
David Collings George Canning
Murray Head William, Duke of Clarence
David Pinner Princess Mary
Katy Durham-Matthews Mary Robinson
Chrissy Iddon Lt. Col. Hotham
John Bott Orlando Bridgeman
Sam Sewell King’s major domo
Ronald Markham Prince’s footman
Michael Heath Rev. Francis Willis
Ralph Nossek Dr John Willis
David Rintoul Princess Charlotte
Patsy Kensit (1)
Cherie Lunghi (2) Lady Douglas
Vivien Heilbron Lord Grenville
David Neal Lord Eldon
James Garbutt Teodoro Mojocchi
John Hug Prince William of Orange
Tony Aitken Lord Liverpool
Andre Van Gyseghem
Episodes
Mad for Love | Put Not Your Trust in Princes | The Bride from Brunswick | The Trouble with Women | Father and Son | God Save the King | Milk and Honey | Defeat . . . and Victory
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The Prince marries his beloved – the beautiful widow Maria Fitzherbert (Susannah York) – in 1786, but as she is a Catholic, the ceremony is illegal and must be kept secret.
