George III's reign was also marked by the ongoing struggle between the monarchy and Parliament. Although he sought to assert royal prerogative, George often found himself at odds with parliamentary factions. Throughout much of his reign, he worked closely with various prime ministers, including Lord North, William Pitt the Younger, and Spencer Perceval.

George III sought to strengthen the influence of the monarchy, notably through his involvement in political appointments and attempts to curb the power of political factions. However, the growth of parliamentary power during his reign, particularly in the aftermath of the Glorious Revolution (1688), meant that the monarchy was increasingly constrained. His political ambitions were thwarted by the emergence of party politics and the rise of reform movements.

One notable aspect of his domestic reign was his commitment to agriculture and scientific improvement. George III was an avid patron of the sciences and encouraged agricultural innovations. His interest in the arts, particularly in the collection of paintings, was also significant, with his personal collection eventually forming the core of the Royal Collection, which still exists today.

The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars

As George III’s reign continued into the 1790s, Europe was rocked by the French Revolution, which toppled the French monarchy and led to the rise of radical republicanism. This was a period of heightened tension between Britain and France, as the revolutionary government in Paris sought to challenge the established monarchies across Europe. George III’s government opposed the revolution, supporting the coalition of monarchies that fought against the forces of republicanism.

In 1793, war broke out between Britain and revolutionary France, and it evolved into the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) after Napoleon Bonaparte declared himself Emperor of France. The wars were a defining feature of the early 19th century and dominated George III’s later years. The British navy played a critical role in defeating Napoleon’s forces, and the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) became one of the most celebrated British victories.

Despite his commitment to the war effort, George III’s mental health began to deteriorate during this period, and this would have significant implications for his reign. The king became increasingly erratic, and by 1811, he was declared unfit to rule, leading to the establishment of the Regency under his son, the Prince of Wales, who would later become George IV. shutdown123