The Coronation of George IV: An Extravagant, Controversial Affair

Probably the most unpopular of all
Coronations was that of George IV. One writer remarked that “the King made up
in pageantry what he lacked in popularity.” And there must have been something
in that because it cost £238,000. Its unpopularity, however, was the outcome of
George’s lengthy and much publicised estrangement with his wife, Caroline, and
she was actually refused admittance to the Abbey during the ceremony.

Both houses for some time previous had been
inundated with petitions on behalf of the Queen. The opening speech had recommended
that a suitable provision should be made for her instead of that which she had
enjoyed as Princess of Wales; but she had expressed her firm determination to
accept no settlement While her name was omitted from the liturgy. Not deterred
by this declaration, £50.000 was voted to her for life and, after some demur, the
pressure of poverty prevailed and she accepted it. But by doing so she lost
much of that popularity which her previous rejection had procured for her.

The Coronation, which her arrival in London
had delayed, had to be solemnised at any cost, for George IV valued the pomp of
royalty more than even its power and he could not feel that he was “Every Inch
a King” until his head had been surmounted by the crown. The day fixed for the
Coronation pageant was July 19, 1821 and here Caroline had determined to take
her final stand. On June 25 she lodged her claim to be crowned, like her royal
predecessors, and her claim was ably supported by her law advisers, Messrs.
Brougham and Denman. But after a long antiquarian and historical exploration,
it was found that the coronation of a king did not necessarily imply that of
his consort, and that since the reign of Henry VIII, only six out of 13
consorts had been crowned. On the strength of these precedents, her claim, as a
right, was rejected.

George IV’s train carried by eight sons of peers and the Master of the Robes. From Wikimedia Commons

Caroline then wrote to Lord Sidmouth,
stating her determination to be present at the ceremony, and desiring that a
suitable place should be provided for her accommodation. When this was refused,
she made a similar application to the Duke of Norfolk as Earl-Marshal of
England, but with the same result. Rejected in these appeals, she now tried one
that savoured of downright insanity: she requested the Archbishop of Canterbury
to crown her alone the following week while the Abbey of Westminster was in
preparation for the final ceremony, which could be done without further
national expense. But to her letter containing such a singular request, the
astonished primate returned the following brief reply: “The Archbishop of
Canterbury has the honour to acknowledge with all humility the receipt of Her
Majesty’s communication. Her Majesty is undoubtedly aware that the Archbishop
cannot stir a single step in the subject matter of it without the commands of
the King.”

The Coronation took place, with unwonted splendour
and magnificence, on July 19. The Queen resolved to be present, or to make a
scene by seeking admittance in the eyes of the people. It is said that the more
prudent of her friends endeavoured to dissuade her, but it is to be apprehended
that most of those who surrounded her and who were making use of her merely for
party or factious purposes, without any regard to the shock her feelings might
sustain, strongly urged her to go down to the Abbey.

She went and stopping before the Abbey
door, was there refused admittance by the door-keepers and military officers on
guard. She then wandered round the Abbey walls, in a vain search for some other
entrance, and, having thus exhibited her humiliation, she retired through the
dense multitude, applauded by some, but hissed and hooted and called foul names
by others.  

King George IV’s crowning at the Abbey. From Wikimedia Commons

Here is an account of the Coronation from
the Annual Register, 1821:

Soon after, four o’clock it was ascertained
that her Majesty’s coach was making ready, and the crowd, both in South Audley Street
and in Hill Street, became very great.

Soon after five o’clock the gate was thrown
open, and a shout was raised, “The. Queen!” “The

Queen!” The Queen immediately appeared
in her coach of state, drawn by six bays. Lady Hood and Lady Ann Hamilton sat
opposite to her Majesty. Lord Hood followed in his own carriage. Her Majesty
looked well, and acknowledged with great dignity and composure the congratulations
of the people on each side of her coach. They made their way through the crowded
streets and arrived at last at the place where the tickets were received. Lord
Hood demanded admission for the Queen.

The Door-keeper said that his instructions
were to admit no persons without a peer’s ticket.

Lord Hood: “Did you ever hear of a queen
being asked for a ticket before? This is your Queen.”

The Door-keeper said that his orders were
general, and without any exceptions. He had never been in a similar situation
before and could  say nothing as to the propriety
or impropriety of refusing- her Majesty admission.

Lord Hood: “I present to you your
Queen; do you refuse her admission?”

Her Majesty added that she was his Queen,
and desired to be permitted to pass.

Queen Caroline and Lord Hood being refused entrance at the Abbey by the doorman. Artist impression from Wikimedia Commons

The Door-keeper admitted that his orders
were peremptory — and said, however reluctant he might be he could not suffer
her Majesty to pass without a ticket.

Lord Hood: “I have a ticket.”

Door-keeper: “Upon presenting it, I
will permit you to pass.”

Lord Hood then took from his pocket one
ticket for the Abbey for a Mr. Wellington, which he tendered to the
Door-keeper.”

The Door-keeper said that would admit but
one individual. Lord Hood then asked her Majesty if she would enter alone.

Her Majesty hesitated— upon which Lord Hood
asked whether there had not been some preparation made for her Majesty’s reception.

The Door-keeper answered in the negative.  

Lord Hood: “Then I am to understand
you refuse your Queen admittance to Westminster Abbey?”

The Door-keeper said he was ready to admit
her Majesty with a ticket, but not without.

After a short consultation with her
Majesty, whether she would go into the, Abbey alone or not — her Majesty declined—
and it was resolved that she should return to her carriage.

As she was quitting, the spot, some persons
in the doorway burst into a vulgar laugh of derision. Her Majesty looked at
them contemptuously; and turning about, passed through a group of fashionable
women who were going to the Abbey with tickets, but who did not take the
slightest notice of her. She was followed by a crowd to the platform, some of
whom were approving and some disapproving of her conduct.

On entering her carriage, there was
considerable disapprobation, intermingled with cries of “Shame,
shame,” “Off, off”; while other parts of the populace repeated
the cries of “The Queen,the Queen” with great enthusiasm.

A few weeks later Caroline died.

Coronation Banquet of George IV, unknown artist. Royal Collection