[.ca] The Trial of Queen Caroline: The Scandalous Affair that ... (ISBN 0743255909)

ROYAL SCANDALS NEVER CHANGE:
Jane Robins has written an interesting book about the wife of George IV, which echoes the royal family of today. Here is an unpopular Prince of Wales who neglects his wife because he prefers older, married women. Princess Caroline, his intellectually vapid cousin, spends most of her time wandering around Europe and takes on foreign lovers. She is popular with the people of England, but not the ruling class. Radical groups support her on behalf of their causes. George eventually demands a divorce when he is about to become king. Sounds very much like Princess Diana. But the greater importance to this history is the political state of Great Britian during a time of political and social upheaval in Europe. The French Revolution was still a living memory and it inspired radical groups in England and Scotland. Their king, George III was insane and the Prince Regent a dispised, self indulgant man who neglected not only his wife, but his people. During the trial of Queen Caroline, the people supported her and not George. The government was terrified of an uprising and really did not know what to do about the scandal. Jane Robins makes a strong case for a Britian that almost shed its monarchy to become a republic. Royalty is always an interesting subject but it is almost like watching a train wreck: you know you should not look at it but have to know what happens. Queen Caroline was not a particularily important person, and not particularily good (she reminds me more of Fergie than Diana). But she was sorely used by the court, the establishment, and then died too young. Read this to remind yourself that in political manipulation some people always get crushed.