George III succeeded to the throne of Great Britain and Ireland on the 25 October 1760 on the death of his grandfather, King George II.

George III’s father, Frederick, had died in 1751. This meant that on his grandfather’s death George would become King. He was crowned on 22 September 1761.

He was the first of the Hanoverian line of monarchs to rule Great Britain and Ireland whose first language was English.

In 1761 he married Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, with whom he had 15 children.

His reign where he suffered bouts of mental illness (Mad King George) was marked by long periods of war, the loss of the American colonies, and the seven years war with France. Wars are costly and the country ran up massive debts and to deal with those new taxes were introduced.

The treatment he received for his mental health issues was cruel, however, he lived till aged 81. He died on 29 January 1820 and was succeeded by his son, King George IV. From 1811 until he succeeded the throne George IV had been acting as prince regent for his father.

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