Victoria in the Wings

This is another fine, well-written, historical novel by Jean Plaidy, also known to her legion of devoted fans as Victoria Holt. This, the eleventh book in her Georgian saga, focuses on the House of Hanover's need to secure their dynasty. With King George III under lock and key, suffering from what seemed to be a form of insanity, and the Prince Regent in ill health, all looked to the Regent's daughter, Charlotte, who was pregnant and due to give birth. Unfortunately, the unthinkable happened and both Charlotte and her baby died during childbirth, leaving the kingdom in a quandary. For though King George III had many children, they were all well into middle age and none had any legitimate children to secure the continuation of the Hanoverian dynasty. This turn of events galvanized the unmarried sons of King George III to marry suitable wives, so as to have legitimate children and secure the line of succession for the House of Hanover. William, the third son and Duke of Clarence, as well as Edward, the fourth son and Duke of Kent, did so. William married Adelaide of Saxe-Coburg Meiningen, while Edward married Victoria Mary Louisa of Saxe-Saalfeld-Coburg. Meanwhile, Ernest, the sinister fifth son and Duke of Cumberland, was already married and hoping to be the one to provide the necessary children. When King George III died and the ailing Prince Regent became King George IV, William and Edward were in a dead heat trying to have heirs. While William and Adelaide were unsuccessful, Edward and Victoria managed to have a daughter, who was to be known as Victoria. Shortly after, Ernest and his wife Augusta had a boy, whom they named George. It looked as if Princess Victoria were in the wings, waiting to become Queen; that is, if nothing happened to prevent her from reaching maturity. Plots, intrigues, and danger lurked around every corner. This is the story of how the little princess of the fourth son of King George III would find herself positioned to one day become sovereign of England.

After the death of Charlotte, daughter of the Prince Regent, it was brought to the attention of the royal family that there were no legitimate heirs to the throne after the current generation. All of the available German princesses were rounded up and distributed to the marriageable princes of England. After that, it became a race to who would get the crown.This book was very interesting and entertaining. I especially liked to hear more about George III's other children. It is very hard to find such information elsewhere. Jean Plaidy did an excellent job recreating the atmosphere and the urgency of the time.

This is another fine, well-written, historical novel by Jean Plaidy, also known to her legion of devoted fans as Victoria Holt. This, the eleventh book in her Georgian saga, focuses on the House of Hanover's need to secure their dynasty.With King George III under lock and key, suffering from what seemed to be a form of insanity, and the Prince Regent in ill health, all looked to the Regent's daughter, Charlotte, who was pregnant and due to give birth. Unfortunately, the unthinkable happened and both Charlotte and her baby died during childbirth, leaving the kingdom in a quandary. For though King George III had many children, they were all well into middle age and none had any legitimate children to secure the continuation of the Hanoverian dynasty.This turn of events galvanized the unmarried sons of King George III to marry suitable wives, so as to have legitimate children and secure the line of succession for the House of Hanover. William, the third son and Duke of Clarence, as well as Edward, the fourth son and Duke of Kent, did so. William married Adelaide of Saxe-Coburg Meiningen, while Edward married Victoria Mary Louisa of Saxe-Saalfeld-Coburg. Meanwhile, Ernest, the sinister fifth son and Duke of Cumberland, was already married and hoping to be the one to provide the necessary children.When King George III died and the ailing Prince Regent became King George IV, William and Edward were in a dead heat trying to have heirs. While William and Adelaide were unsuccessful, Edward and Victoria managed to have a daughter, who was to be known as Victoria. Shortly after, Ernest and his wife Augusta had a boy, whom they named George.It looked as if Princess Victoria were in the wings, waiting to become Queen; that is, if nothing happened to prevent her from reaching maturity. Plots, intrigues, and danger lurked around every corner. This is the story of how the little princess of the fourth son of King George III would find herself positioned to one day become sovereign of England.