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William IV of the United Kingdom facts for kids

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William IV
William IV.jpg
Predecessor George IV
Successor Victoria
Born 21 August 1765
Buckingham Palace, London, England
Died 20 June 1837
Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, England
Burial St. George's Chapel

William IV (born William Henry; 21 August 1765 – 20 June 1837) was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover. He ruled from 26 June 1830 until his death.

William was the third son of King George III. He was also the younger brother and successor to King George IV. William was the last person to rule both the United Kingdom and Hanover. After him, his niece, Victoria, became Queen of the United Kingdom but not of Hanover.

William lived for 20 years with Sophia Jordan. They had ten children together.

William's Family

Children with his wife

William IV had two children with his wife. Sadly, both of his legitimate children (children with his wife) died before he became king. Because of this, they were called Prince or Princess of Clarence.

Children with Sophia Jordan

William IV also had ten children with Sophia Jordan. Here are their names:

Images for kids

  • Prince William and Prince Edward 1778

    William aged thirteen (left) and his younger brother Edward, painted by Benjamin West, 1778

  • William IV by Sir Martin Archer Shee

    William in dress uniform painted by Sir Martin Archer Shee, c.1800

  • Lubber's-hole, -alias- the crack'd Jordan (BM 1851,0901.552)

    Cartoon by James Gillray of William and Mrs. Jordan: A large, cracked chamber-pot represents Mrs. Jordan, and the Duke has thrust himself into a fissure in the 'Jordan'.

  • Dorothy Jordan00

    Mrs. Jordan in the Character of Hypolita, mezzotint by John Jones of London, 1791, after a painting by John Hoppner

  • TheDisconsolateSailor

    "The Disconsolate Sailor", 1811: a cartoon by Charles Williams about Catherine Tylney-Long's choice between the Duke of Clarence (right) and William Wesley-Pole (left)

  • Adelaide Amelia Louisa Theresa Caroline of Saxe-Coburg Meiningen by Sir William Beechey

    Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen by Sir William Beechey, c. 1831

  • WilliamIVWhileLordHighAdmiral

    William, as Lord High Admiral, print by William James Ward, after Abraham Wivell's painting, first published in 1827

  • WilliamIVbyLonsdale

    William IV in Masonic insignia. Portrait by James Lonsdale, 1830

  • Reformact1832cartoon

    Political cartoon supporting the Reform Act: King William sits above the clouds, surrounded by Whig politicians; below Britannia and the British Lion cause the Tories to flee.

  • King William IV by Sir David Wilkie

    Portrait by Sir David Wilkie, 1837

  • William4coin

    Half-Crown of William IV, 1836. The inscription reads GULIELMUS IIII D(EI) G(RATIA) BRITANNIAR(UM) REX F(IDEI) D(EFENSOR) (William IV by the Grace of God King of the Britains, Defender of the Faith)

  • William IV in 1837 by his daughter Sophia

    William IV drawn by his daughter Sophia de L'Isle and Dudley in early 1837

  • King William IV. monument Göttingen

    Statue of William IV in Göttingen, Germany. The Latin inscription reads: "William the Fourth, King, Father of the Fatherland".

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Guillermo IV del Reino Unido para niños

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