The impact of George IV on Windsor

2020 marks the 200th anniversary of the death of George III at Windsor Castle when George IV ascended to the throne. The former Prince Regent made quite a mark on The Royal Borough during his Regency period and 10-year reign – here are 12 ways to appreciate his legacy.

Thomas Lawrence portraits in The Waterloo Chamber

After the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, George commissioned this series of portraits of the allied European military and political leaders involved in the victory and establishing the subsequent peace. He had the Waterloo Chamber in Windsor Castle created in the 1820s to show them.

The Leptis Magna Roman Ruins

In 1816 the local Governor in Tripoli was persuaded that the Prince Regent should be able to help himself to the ruins. Despite local outrage, transport difficulties and a stay at the British Museum, the ruins duly arrived in Windsor 10 years later in 1826. The folly can be found at Virginia Water, Windsor Great Park.

Princess Charlotte’s memorial in St George’s Chapel

This spectacular marble memorial by Matthew Wyatt can be found in the Urswick Chapel in St George's Chapel and commemorates George IV's only child, Princess Charlotte of Wales, who died in childbirth in 1817, thus altering the line of succession.

Windsor Castle

George IV loved fine objects and opulent design and lavished attention on his Windsor Castle home. After becoming king in 1820, he completely remodelled and refashioned the exterior in the Gothic style, with the addition of crenellations, turrets and towers. He added an extra 10m to the Round Tower to make it look more imposing at 65.5m above the Thames.

The Semi-State Rooms

He created a new suite of private rooms inside Windsor Castle – the Semi-State rooms – on the sunnier, east and south sides of the Castle, including the Crimson and Green Drawing Rooms. Among the most richly decorated interiors in the Castle, these rooms are still used by the Monarch for official entertaining and are open to the public during the winter season. 

Inner Hall

Originally intended as a space to receive official guests, it was closed by Queen Victoria but has recently been restored and opened to the public as part of the entrance.

The Grand (Dining) Service

Commissioned by George IV and still used today at State Banquets, this Grand Service of silver-gilt pieces can often be seen on the table in the State dining room during Christmas celebrations. 

George IV Gateway 

Located at the northern end of the Long Walk this is the easiest way to get from the town into Windsor Great Park.

The Copper Horse – Snow Hill 

King George IV commissioned this statue in memory of his father George III. It sits atop a massive plinth on Snow Hill, reportedly to be as imposing as that of Peter the Great in St Petersburg. The base bears a Latin inscription: Georgio Tertio / Patri optimo / Georgius Rex, which translates as: To George the Third / the best of fathers / King George [IV]. This is believed to be ironic as the two were known to have a difficult relationship. 

Five Arch Bridge – Windsor Great Park

George IV also held the role of Ranger, both as Regent and King, from 1815 to 1830. During this time he recruited architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville to introduce new features to the Virginia Water landscape within Windsor Great Park. Stand on the bridge and look out across the lake towards the same views that King George IV enjoyed. 

The Nubian Giraffe 

Britain’s first giraffe was presented to George IV as a diplomatic gift by the Pasha of Egypt. By now ailing and increasingly reclusive, George kept a menagerie of “gentle animals” (antelopes, llamas, wild swine, emus, ostriches, parrots, waterfowl and an ‘enormous' tortoise) at Sandpit Gate in Windsor Great Park. He added the giraffe and would ride to see it in his pony-chaise. Sadly after triggering an enormous amount of interest, the giraffe lasted only two years and died in 1829. It lives on in The Nubian Giraffe painting by Jacques-Laurent Agasse, commissioned by George and now part of the Royal Collection. 

The Royal Vault – St George’s Chapel

King George IV celebrated New Year at Windsor Castle with his friends in January 1829, though work on the Royal Apartments was still on-going. In March 1830 the king's health went into decline and on 26 June that year he died in his new bedroom at Windsor. He is buried in the Royal Vault, St George’s Chapel.