II explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Monarchy and Constitutional Role

  The chapter explores the precarious state of the royal succession and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the throne.

• Family and Dynasty

  Detailed descriptions of the royal brothers' personal lives and lack of legitimate offspring highlight the dynastic crisis.

Characters to notice

• Princess Charlotte

  Her death at Claremont is the tragedy that disrupts the royal succession.

• George III

  Still living but an aged lunatic at Windsor, completely impervious to the outer world.

• George IV

  The Prince Regent, debauched and obese, unlikely to father children.

• Duke of York

  Divides his life between London and a country house; married to the Princess Royal of Prussia with no children.

• Duke of Clarence

  Lived with Mrs. Jordan, had a large family, but later separated; no legitimate offspring.

• Duke of Cumberland

  Hideously ugly, unpopular, suspected of murder and scandal; recently married but no children.

• Duke of Sussex

  Mildly literary, married twice but both marriages void under the Royal Marriages Act.

• Duke of Kent

  Mentioned separately among the brothers; his situation is noted as requiring separate description.

Key passages

• “The tragedy at Claremont was of a most upsetting kind. The royal kaleidoscope had suddenly shifted, and nobody could tell how the new pattern would arrange itself.”

  The death of Princess Charlotte at Claremont was deeply disturbing, throwing the royal succession into chaos and uncertainty.

  Sets the tone for the chapter's focus on the succession crisis.

• “Of his seven sons, the youngest was of more than middle age, and none had legitimate offspring.”

  Among George III's seven sons, even the youngest was past middle age, and none had any legitimate children.

  Highlights the core problem of the succession.