History

George IV's coronation was a superbly extravagant pageant that cost a staggering £230,000! He had a new crown containing over 12,000 diamonds specially made. The ageing and obese King sweltered in his suit, thick velvet coronation robes, a long curled wig and plumed hat, and he used no fewer than nineteen handkerchiefs to mop his heavily perspiring brow!

Meanwhile, outside the Abbey, his estranged wife, Caroline of Brunswick, was desperately trying to get in to the church to be crowned consort. George IV, adamant she would not be crowned, ordered those guarding the entrances to the Abbey to refuse her entry. Despite trying every door into the church, Caroline finally accepted defeat and left.