Chapter XI: The End of Greatness

Queen as an author--Domestic life of the Royal Family--
Return of the King’s Illness--His continual agitation
--Dr. Symonds not the medical officer for the King--
Capricious changes made by the King in his household--
His humorous eccentricities--Contest between the King
and the Prince--The Queen’s conduct--Scant courtesy
to the royal invalid--Errors committed by the King--
Wellesley and Nelson--Gradual decay of the King--His
eccentricity at the installation of Knights of the Garter--
Picture of the daily life of the Royal Family--Position
of the Queen--The King’s resignation on his blindness--
Distress of his mind--Renewal of the Regency question--
Extraordinary assertion to Lord Eldon--The King’s person
confided to the Queen--The Queen’s letters to Lord Eldon
--Her merry letter to him--A touching incident--The
Queen’s unpopularity--Marriage of the Princess Charlotte--
Decline of the Queen’s health--Disgraceful reception of
her by the City--Her death--Considered as a parent--Her
political influence--The debts of Prince of Strelitz--The
Court on George III.’s ceasing to exercise authority--Regal
retinue about the old King dismissed--The Queen’s funeral
--Her will--Her diamonds--Death of the Duke of Kent--
Death of the King--Visit of the Emperor of the French to
the Duchess of Gloucester 151

_CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK_,

WIFE OF GEORGE IV.