King George IV died on 26 June 1830, bringing to an end a glittering royal story that had shocked as much as it had intrigued.

Although George defined a period that remains perpetually popular, the Regency era, as king he was unpopular and he spent the last years of his life in poor health. 

The eldest son of King George III and Queen Charlotte, while Prince Regent, George became the ultimate tastemaker in Georgian society. During his father’s bouts of madness, George was named Prince Regent, henceforth it is known as the Regency Period. 

“Prinny” and his social set decided what was fashionable and what was not. Clothing, entertainment, holiday spots, health trends- his group of friends dictated the in thing to do. 

George spent much of his adult life enjoying everything to excess, including food and alcohol. By the age of 30, he was obese and suffered from several related conditions, including gout and dropsy. His overconsumption of alcohol also left him with liver issues. 

He spent his years as king in horrible health, with many conditions affecting his day to day life. 

He died on 26 June shortly after three o’clock in the morning. An autopsy showed that in addition to intestinal bleeding, he also had a large bladder tumour, and significant heart issues. 

The once fashionable ‘Prinny’ lived his final days in agony, no longer the toast of society.