George III (1738 – 1820) was King from 1760. He was keenly interested in his country’s politics and supported William Pitt, while distrusting Charles James Fox. George III suffered from a recurring illness which at times rendered him unable to rule. From 1811 he lived as a recluse at Windsor Castle, while his son acted as Regent in his place.

Queen Charlotte (1744 – 1818) was a princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, a small German duchy. She travelled to Britain in 1761, aged 17, to marry George III. The couple were devoted to each other but Charlotte was not popular and was the object of anti-German criticism.

George, Prince of Wales (1762 – 1830), later George IV, was the eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte. As heir to the throne he played an important role during his father’s illnesses and ruled as Prince Regent from 1811 until 1820. The Prince’s gambling, drinking and many affairs were widely criticised.

William Pitt the Younger (1759 – 1806) was the son of a prime minister. After a sparkling career at Cambridge, he entered politics aged just 23. A Tory, Pitt’s great rival was the politician Charles James Fox.

Charles James Fox (1749 – 1806) was a Whig politician and William Pitt’s parliamentary rival. A clever but dissolute man, he enjoyed drinking and gambling with a close group of friends which included the Prince of Wales.