The Regency Debate

Concerns about the King’s sanity had long surrounded George III and led to fierce rivalry between the pro and anti King factions, including amongst the antis, the King's own son, the Prince of Wales, who had aligned himself with the radical Whig, Charles James Fox.

By 1788 those concerns had grown so great that Fox and the Prince were at last able to push the Regency Bill through they had long hoped for, despite Pitt’s constant objections and amendments. Barely had the Bill gone through however, in January 1789, than the King miraculously recovered before it could be put into practice – to Pitt and the king’s delight.