He’s not very well remembered today but this member of the Royal Family led an interesting life – known as the Sailor King, the monarch had a brood of illegitimate children, tried to give away Buckingham Palace and George Washington once approved a plot to kidnap him
For daily updates and all the latest breaking news sign up to our free newsletter
We have more newsletters
When you imagine a ruler of 19th century Britain, then Queen Victoria is the figure who most likely comes to mind first.
The Victorian-era is synonymous with the industrial revolution, the British Empire and most other aspects of life in that century.
However the matriarchal monarch did not take to the throne until 1837 – and she would reign into the 20th century, dying in 1901.
Read More: Leatherslade – Bucks farm where the Great Train Robbers hid
So who was the king before Queen Victoria took the throne?
That King was William IV, who has the misfortune of being bracketed by much more famous monarchs – and of sharing a name with three kings who are almost inarguably far better known in popular culture.
William, who was born in 1765, was the younger brother of his predecessor, King George IV – the last of a succession of kings called George and best known for serving as Prince Regent after his father, King George III, began suffering bouts of mental illness (and for being portrayed by Hugh Laurie in Blackadder the Third).
The other King Williams throughout the centuries – including William the Conqueror, the winner of the Battle of Hastings, William Rufus, who died in a 'hunting accident' and William III, who overthrew the Stuart dynasty – are also much better known than their later namesake.
Despite his relative obscurity in the 21st century, this member of the Royal Family had quite an interesting life however.
William IV was a member of the House of Hanover and the last king from that house. His successor Victoria would be final Hanover monarch and her son Edward VIII would found the House of Saxe-Coburg Gotha (the British branch of the dynasty changed its name to the current House of Windsor during World War I to sound less German).
The King served in the Royal Navy and would later be nicknamed – fairly predictably – the 'Sailor King'. He was in New York during the American Revolution and George Washington – who would go on to become first President of the United States is said to have authorised a plot to kidnap the prince.
The abduction never took place and William would rise to the rank of Rear Admiral before resigning from the navy in 1790.
He would go on to attend the House of Lords regularly, and held liberal views on not persecuting Christians from dissenting denominations or banning adulterers from remarrying.
Unfortunately he was also against the abolition of slavery, arguing that freedom would do the slaves no good. More sensible voices prevailed.
Later on, in 1827, he became Lord High Admiral and had a number of conflicts with his council. He eventually resigned after sailing a squadron of ships out to sea for ten days and not explaining where they were going.
In terms of his love-life, William's partner for many years was Irish actress Dorethea Bland, better known as Mrs Jordan – with whom he had 10 illegitimate children.
Eventually he would marry Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen – for whom the city of Adelaide in Australia is named. However they would have no children who survived childhood.
Upon becoming King in 1830, William IV would sometimes walk unaccompanied through London or Brighton, unlike his brother who mainly stayed at Windsor Castle.
He also dismissed his childless brother's French chefs and German bands in favour of English ones.
Buckingham Palace may not be the tourist attraction it is today if William IV had had his way, he attempted to give it away to Parliament and to the military.
William died in the early hours of the morning of June 20 1837 at the age of 71, having reigned for slightly under seven years.
Having no legitimate children of his own, he was succeeded by Queen Victoria – the surviving child of one of his brothers.
Want the latest news from across Buckinghamshire? Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss a story.