The Secret Wife

George IV or 'Prinny' as he was known had many mistresses but only one true love. Legend has it that the young Prince of Wales who was only 21 fell in love with beautiful, golden-haired Maria Fitzherbert at first sight when he saw her standing on the steps of the Opera. After that he became obsessed with the older widow and would not rest until she married him. She became his secret wife.

Maria who was born in Bramwell, Hampshire in 1756 came from a strict Catholic family and was the eldest of six. Educated at a convent in France she was cultured, intelligent and attractive. She also took her religion very seriously.

Only 18, Maria married a fifty-four year old childless widower, Edward Weld of Lulworth Castle. He died a year later after he fell from a horse.

Three years later Maria married the wealthy landowner, Thomas Fitzherbert. He died of lung disease after they had been married for four years, leaving her a London town house. Maria had nursed him but he couldn't be saved from the fatal disease.

Deeply upset and grieving for her husband, with whom she had been very much in love, Maria refused to live in the town house for a long time. She chose to stay in Nice and Brighton instead.

Finally Maria went to live in London and was introduced into society where she met the Prince of Wales. He chased after her seeing that she was invited to functions that he would be attending and purposely sitting next to her. His intended was a bad choice, however, for the future King of England. She was a Catholic and it was illegal for the King to be married to a Catholic. If his children were Catholic they could not succeed to the throne. George, of course, thought that he could easily get around this by making Maria his mistress. Most women would be pleased to be the mistress of the future King, he thought.

To his surprise, Maria refused his offer. The Prince was so upset that he attempted suicide and told Maria that she was the only one who could save him. Feeling very pressured by the situation Maria was persuaded to marry him but she fled to Europe. The Prince received a letter saying that she did not consider the arrangement binding but he would not give up, continuing to harangue her.

Finally Maria agreed and they were secretly, but legally married in an Anglican church. He and Maria were happy together, although they lived separately, but George was a spendthrift and became heavily in debt. His father ordered him to marry the plain and unattractive Princess Caroline who he didn't like at all. They had a daughter, Charlotte, but the marriage didn't last.

Go To Page: 1 2