George III: The Mind Behind the Myth

King George III spent much of his childhood at Kew Palace, which was then a rural riverside retreat. There, he learnt the art of kingship under the tutelage of some of the most celebrated theologians, architects and musicians of the day. In adulthood, he supported the development of the botanic gardens, and this peaceful country estate became a beloved summer home for his ever-expanding family. However, it was also at Kew that George was treated for periods of mental and physical ill health. Today, his life and achievements have been almost entirely eclipsed by the story of his still poorly understood ‘madness’.

This talk separates the man from the myth, exploring objects and spaces within the Palace that reveal the humanity behind George’s story, and looks at how historic attitudes to mental ill health still shape our understanding today.