Hey Bridgerton Lovers, you guys must be curious about what King George III suffered from in Bridgerton, So let me answer every doubt. Let's dive into what's going on with him and why it's a big deal in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
The Historical Background
Let's talk about who was King George III, So he was a real king who ruled from 1760 to 1820. Now, he's famous for some rocky times in his reign, earning him the nickname "Mad King." But here's the deal: he wasn't just a regular king with regular issues.
Corey Mylchreest As A King George In Bridgerton
The Mad King or the King George III Character was played by Corey Mylchreest a world-famous actor known for his amazing acting skills, down-to-earth nature, and his sexuality.
The role of young King George III was played by Corey but the role of old one was played by James Fleet.
King George III's illness Symptoms
King George III's illness included a range of symptoms, as depicted in Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. These symptoms included:
- Convulsions
- Frothing at the mouth
- Rambling incoherently
- Bouts of depression
- Loss of hearing, vision, memory, and ability to walk.
Family Drama
Now, imagine you're his wife, Queen Charlotte, played by Golda Rosheuvel. Your husband's falling apart, right? Well, that's when their son, George IV, steps in and takes over as Prince Regent. Queen Charlotte starts keeping her distance, sleeping in a separate bedroom, and avoiding being alone with King George. By 1813, they weren't even seeing each other anymore.
Historical Theories on His Illness
For many years, the prevailing theory was that King George III had porphyria, a rare liver disorder. This theory was supported by the use of arsenic in the treatments he received.
Porphyria:
- Porphyria is a rare genetic disorder affecting heme production in red blood cells.
- It can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, skin sensitivity to sunlight, and neurological and psychiatric issues.
- There are different types of porphyria based on specific enzyme defects.
Bipolar Disorder:
- Bipolar disorder involves extreme mood swings between manic (elevated mood and impulsivity) and depressive (low mood and hopelessness) episodes.
- It can have different types, such as bipolar I (full manic episodes) and bipolar II (hypomanic and depressive episodes).
- These mood swings can vary in severity and duration.
Schizophrenia:
- Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder affecting thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
- Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, social withdrawal, and cognitive difficulties.
- Its cause is complex, involving genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors.
- Treatment includes antipsychotic medications, therapy, and support services.
What's Wrong with Him?
For a long time, folks thought King George III had this rare liver thing called porphyria. They even used arsenic in his treatments, which sounds crazy now. But some modern experts think he might've had bipolar disorder, where people go through extreme mood swings, or even schizophrenia, which involves hallucinations and delusions. It's all pretty complicated.
The Crazy Treatments
In Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, they show King George getting some seriously rough treatments. Instead of opting for more modern therapeutic approaches, his physicians resorted to extreme measures, including:
- Confinement in a straitjacket
- Skin treatment with arsenic powder
- Extreme fasting and purging
- Ice-cold baths
- Isolation from family and society
Queen Charlotte's Perspective
The show Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story gives us a peek into how Queen Charlotte saw it all. They paint King George as a guy dealing with some major mental issues, like hallucinations and wild mood swings. Queen Charlotte had a front-row seat to his suffering and the brutal treatment he endured. Can you imagine how tough that must've been for her?
Bridgerton Netflix Series
Title | Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story |
Cast | India Amarteifio, Adjoa Andoh, Michelle Fairley, Ruth Gemmell, Golda Rosheuvel, Corey Mylchreest |
Release Date | May 4, 2023 |
Seasons | 1 |
Genres | Biography, Drama, History |
Story By | Julia Quinn, Shonda Rhimes |
Writers | Shonda Rhimes, Nicholas Nardini |
Streaming Service(s) | Netflix |
Franchise(s) | Bridgerton |
Directors | Tom Verica |
Showrunner | Shonda Rhimes |
Season List | Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story - Season 1 |
Bridgerton and its spin-off series, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, may play around with history, but they let us in on King George III's struggles with his mental health. By exploring his symptoms, treatments, and different theories about what was wrong, we can better understand the character and the challenges he faced in the Bridgerton world. It's a wild ride, that's for sure!