The MEDDLING Mother OF King George III | Princess Augusta | Part Three

The MEDDLING Mother OF King George III | Princess Augusta | Part Three

In the tumultuous world of Augusta, the mother of King George III, family discord and drama continued to plague her life even as she faced her own health crisis. Her relationship with her children remained strained, with some defying her wishes, and her role in concealing her son's mental illness raised questions about her judgment. As her health deteriorated due to throat cancer, she orchestrated a dramatic farewell tour and unwittingly set the stage for a series of heated disputes between her eldest daughter and Queen Charlotte. Yet, the most devastating blow came with the shocking news of her daughter Caroline Matilda's imprisonment and exile, marking a dark legacy that Augusta couldn't have foreseen in her tumultuous journey through the royal courts of Europe.


Estranged Relationship with Her Children
Surprisingly, despite King George III's deep affection and respect for his mother, the rest of Augusta's children harbored a strong dislike for her. Her eldest daughter, Augusta of Great Britain, actively befriended Queen Charlotte early on, mainly to vent her grievances about her mother. However, the most significant discord in Augusta's family came from an unexpected source.

Witnessing Her Son's Mental Decline
In 1765, Augusta received devastating news: her son, King George III, suffered the first of what would become recurring bouts of mental illness. These episodes, characterized by fever, insomnia, and cognitive impairment, raised concerns about his fitness to rule. The government even passed a Regency Act in response, although it was later repealed as George showed signs of recovery. Augusta, however, played a troubling role in this crisis.

Concealing a Dark Secret
In the face of George's deteriorating mental health, Augusta and her confidant, the Earl of Bute, kept his troubling condition hidden from his wife, Queen Charlotte. Augusta, driven by her need to control the narrative, failed to disclose the truth. Karma, however, had its way.

Sons Defying Their Mother
Augusta's poor relationships with her children led some of her sons to make independent marriage choices that defied her wishes. Her son William secretly married a Dowager Countess in 1766, while Prince Henry's marriages were considered beneath his station and further infuriated Augusta. Her diminishing control over her younger sons fueled her anger.

Ensuring a Royal Marriage for Her Daughter
Desperate to ensure a suitable royal marriage for her youngest child, Caroline Matilda, Augusta had already arranged for her to marry the future King Christian VII of Denmark at the age of 13. In 1766, she finalized the marriage after Christian ascended the throne.

Nightmare Marriage for Her Daughter
Initially, Augusta might have viewed her daughter's royal marriage as a triumph, but it quickly turned into a horrific ordeal. King Christian was mentally ill and disinterested in his wife, leading to public quarrels within the Danish court. Augusta, never one to shy away, intervened.

Offering Unhelpful Advice
Upon hearing about the marital discord between the King and Queen of Denmark, Augusta decided to meddle once again. She urged the King of Denmark to reinstate one of Caroline Matilda's favorite ladies who had been exiled, only to receive a resounding "no." Augusta then advised her daughter to show more affection to her mentally ill husband, an approach that proved unsuccessful.

Investigating Troubling Rumors
Beginning in 1770, Augusta became aware of dark rumors surrounding her youngest daughter and Denmark's political intrigues. Concerned, Augusta, now in her 50s, visited her daughter to address the situation, hoping to exert her influence.