Profile of the Day: King George III

Have you found your connection to royalty? On this day in 1738, King George III was born. He ruled for over 59 years until his death in 1820.

King George III / Library of Congress

Born two months prematurely, George was not expected to survive. He was the eldest son born to Frederick, Prince of Wales, and Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. When his father unexpectedly died in 1751, the young George became the heir apparent to the throne. Nine years later in 1760, he succeeded his grandfather George II, becoming the third British monarch from the House of Hanover. Unlike his two predecessors, he was also the first to be born in England and the first to use English as a first language.

King George III’s reign was most notable for his loss of the American colonies following the American Revolutionary War. During the final years of his life, George’s mental health deteriorated. For the last decade of his reign, his eldest son, George, Prince of Wales, ruled as Prince Regent. Following his death on January 29, 1820, his son ascended to the throne and ruled as George IV.

At the time of his death, George III had reigned for 59 years and 96 days. He remained the longest reigning monarch in British history until his granddaughter, Queen Victoria, surpassed him in 1896.

Explore King George III’s family tree on Geni and share your connection to the British monarch.