A Royal Scandal (1996 film) facts for kids
A Royal Scandal is a 1996 British television docudrama. It was produced and directed by Sheree Folkson. The story, written by Stanley Price, is about the difficult marriage of George IV and Duchess Caroline of Brunswick. The show uses real historical conversations. It shows how each person tried to embarrass the other. This caused problems for the royal family. Ian Richardson narrates the drama, which was shown by the BBC.
The program was released on videotape in 1998. It is also a bonus feature on the DVD of The Queen's Sister. That DVD was released by BBC Video in 2007.
Contents
About "A Royal Scandal"
This film was made to compare two royal marriages. It looked at the marriage of Prince George (who became King George IV). It also looked at the marriage of a later Prince of Wales to Princess Diana. The film even uses quotes from Princess Diana's 1995 interview.
The Story of George and Caroline
Prince George had many debts. His father, King George, promised to help him with money. But only if George married his cousin, Caroline of Brunswick. Their marriage was a disaster from the very start. Caroline tried to act like a queen, but it was hard for her. George openly showed his close friendship with Frances Villiers, Countess of Jersey.
Life Apart
George and Caroline formally separated after their daughter, Charlotte, was born. George then reunited with Maria Fitzherbert. He had married her years before meeting Caroline. But this marriage was not approved by the king or the Privy Council (a group of royal advisors). So, it was not considered valid.
Caroline was sent to live in a private home in Blackheath. Her contact with her daughter was limited. She became a foster mother to several children. There were whispers that one of these children might be her own. An investigation was done, but it did not prove this. However, Caroline was accused of acting improperly. She left Britain to travel abroad. Reports of her behavior reached her husband regularly. While she was away, her daughter Charlotte died at age nineteen. Charlotte died after giving birth to a baby boy who was stillborn.
The Coronation and After
When George IV became king, Caroline returned to Britain. The public welcomed her, which upset her husband. He ordered his Prime Minister to ruin her reputation. Caroline went to Westminster Abbey to attend her husband's coronation. She arrived with her supporter, Lord Hood. But she was turned away at the door.
That night, Caroline became very ill. Doctors said she had an intestinal problem. Knowing she was going to die, she asked to be buried in Brunswick. She died shortly after. Her friends made sure her last wish was honored. A plaque was placed on her casket. It read "Caroline of Brunswick The Injured Queen of England."
Principal Cast
- Richard E. Grant ..... George IV
- Susan Lynch ..... Caroline of Brunswick
- Michael Kitchen ..... Lord Malmesbury
- Denis Lawson ..... Henry Brougham
- Frances Barber ..... Frances Villiers
- Irene Richard ..... Maria Fitzherbert
- Oliver Ford Davies ..... Lord Liverpool
- Stephen Boxer ..... Lord Hood
- Ian Richardson ..... Narrator
