Very rare ALS signed “George R.,” one page, 7.25 x 9, April 6, 1795. His Royal Highness writes the Marquess of Salisbury two days before the wedding of the future King George IV. In full: “I find there are so many little arrangements in the dresses of the ladies and particularly when their clothes have been prepared as it were by guess, that the nuptials cannot be conveniently held till Wednesday. I desire therefore that the Marquess of Salisbury will order a proper notice to be placed in the daily papers tomorrow agreeable to the one already published in the Gazette, that those who are to attend the nuptials shall assemble in the public apartments at St. James on Wednesday at eight in the evening. This should also be published in the Gazette tomorrow evening. There will be no Levees this week nor Drawing Room on Thursday but Levees on Wednesday, April 15, and on the next day a Drawing Room and in the evening a Ball in the usual room as on birthdays. Of course neither of these days persons can appear in mourning.” The letter is inlaid into a slightly larger sheet. In very good condition, with intersecting folds passing through his signature and several words, areas of paper loss at two of the fold intersections, and mild soiling.
This letter was written prior to the prince’s marriage to Princess Caroline of Brunswick—a woman he had met only three days before the wedding ceremony. The marriage had been arranged so that there could be an heir to the throne, and also so the British Parliament would pay the prince’s debts. Sadly, the bridegroom left his wife a month after their child was born and refused to allow her to attend his 1820 coronation. The abandonment infuriated King George III, who saw his son as a faithless coward, womanizer, and gambler. Full autograph letters from George are very rare, as he wrote very few and most remain in the hands of the Royal Family. RRAuction COA.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
