George IV (1762–1830)

The Royal Pavilion, Brighton, rebuilt by John Nash for the pleasure-loving Prince of Wales (later George IV). Nash was the Prince's favourite architect. The exotic hybrid of classical and oriental styles that he employed has been called ‘Hindoo-Gothic’.

King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1820, when he succeeded his father George III, for whom he had been regent during the king's period of insanity 1811–20. In 1785 he secretly married a Catholic widow, Maria Fitzherbert, but in 1795 also married Princess Caroline of Brunswick, in return for payment of his debts. He was a patron of the arts. His prestige was undermined by his treatment of Caroline (they separated in 1796), his dissipation, and his extravagance. He was succeeded by his brother, the duke of Clarence, who became William IV.