‘I am ill,’ he said, ‘and I believe nobody is in the same good humour sick as well. And if I were well, do you think I should not feel and show some uneasiness for having left a place where I was pleased and happy all day long and being come to one where I am incessantly crossed and plagued?’

The Queen was suddenly stung to a retort which astonished all those who heard it.

‘If Your Majesty was so happy at Hanover why did you not stay there? I see no reason that made your coming to England necessary. You might have continued there without coming to torment yourself and us, since your pleasure did not call you. I am sure your business did not, for we could have done that just as well without you, and you could have pleased yourself without us.’

The King was so astonished at this outburst that he could think of no retort.

He was trembling with rage as he stalked out of the room.

Later Lord Hervey discussed the incident with the Queen.

‘Your Majesty has endured so much that it was time you said what you did.’

‘I fear I have shocked him deeply.’

‘Madam, is it not time that he was shocked deeply?’

‘I think he is a little repentant. He is much quieter. And he has promised me some fine horses for my coach. He says they are some of the finest he has ever seen.’

‘He must have brought them from Hanover.’

‘He did.’

‘Where,’ went on Lord Hervey, ‘horses like everything else in that paradise are much finer than they are in this poor island.’

The Queen laughed. ‘I hope you do not let him hear you talk thus.’

‘He would think I was showing good sense ... for once. But, Madam, why has he given you these horses? Firstly to show you how much finer Hanover horses are than English ones; and secondly that you may have the expense of feeding them.’

‘You are wicked, mon enfant. But what I should do without you to make me laugh in these trying times I do not know.’

The Prince’s Bride


THE Prince of Wales was the only member of the Court and royal family who escaped the King’s bad temper. George’s attitude to his son had not changed since his return from Hanover because he had ignored him before he went away and continued to ignore him.