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What illness did George 3rd have?

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King George III, who reigned as King of Great Britain from 1760 until his death in 1820, suffered from a series of mental health crises that left him unable to govern effectively.

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The exact nature of his illness is still a subject of debate among medical experts, but it is believed to have been caused by a combination of physical and psychological factors.

One popular theory is that King George III suffered from a genetic disorder called porphyria. This rare condition affects the body’s ability to produce heme, a component of haemoglobin, which can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body.

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Reynolds, Joshua; Portrait of King George III; https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/work-of-art/O1721
Credit line: (c) (c) Royal Academy of Arts / Photographer credit: John Hammond /

Symptoms of porphyria can include abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle weakness, and psychological symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, and paranoia.

While there is some evidence to support the idea that King George III may have had porphyria, it remains a controversial diagnosis and is not universally accepted by medical experts.

Whatever the cause of his illness, King George III’s mental health crises were a source of great concern for his family and advisors.

He suffered from periods of delirium, confusion, and paranoia, and he was often unable to recognize his own family members or government officials. As a result, a regency was established in 1811 to allow his son, the future King George IV, to rule in his place.


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