Heritage Centre : Royal Connections

George IV, 1763-1830

Marble bust of George IV, 34 inches high, on a circular socle, from the studio of Sir Francis Chantrey. Presented in 1825 by H.M. King George IV, at the opening of the College in Pall Mall East. A bust of this type was exhibited by Chantrey at the Royal Academy in 1822; several replicas or versions exist.

The Prince of Wales, later the Prince Regent and King George IV, provides an example of an act of kindness by a member of the Royal Family to their physician. He wrote to his physician, Sir Walter Farqhuar ‘I place my whole and entire confidence in you’, and later when sending him a magnificent silver epergne ‘let me entreat your acceptance of the case which accompanies this note as a testimony of the true and high regard of your very sincere friend’.

George IV was not a Fellow of the College. However, his physician, Sir Henry Halford, was elected President in 1820. At this time, the College was still in Warwick lane, in a neighbourhood which had deteriorated, the buildings becoming increasingly dilapidated. A move towards the West End of London and to better buildings was therefore urgently needed, and it was largely due to Halford’s influence as royal physician that a grant of land in Pall Mall East was obtained from the Crown (the original lease was extended by Queen Victoria in 1864.) The new College was ceremonially opened in June, 1825, with a latin oration delivered by Halford to a distinguished company which included many royal dukes. George IV was not present, but he gave the bust to mark the occasion.

 

 

This page last updated on May 16, 2005