| Golden Jubilee of George III | |
|---|---|
  .jpg) Commemorations of the jubilee, Clockwise:Jubilee Tower onMoel Famau inNorth Wales; TheKing's Statue inWeymouth, installed in 1809 and restored in 2007/8; TheJubilee Rock inBlisland, originally decorated in 1810 and restored in 1859 and 1887 | |
| Genre | Jubilee of British monarch |
| Date | 25 October 1809; 216 years ago (1809-10-25) |
| Country | |
| Next event | Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria |
TheGolden Jubilee of George III, also known as theGrand National Jubilee, on 25 October 1809 marked 49 years of KingGeorge III's accession to the British and Irish thrones, and his entrance into the50th year of his reign. It was the first of such festivities to be celebrated in a significant way in the United Kingdom and the Colonies.[1] The celebrations were relatively limited compared to thejubilees of some of the ensuing British monarchs.[2]
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In March 1809 and with jubilee celebrations approaching, prices for candles began to rise as indoor celebrations were anticipated.[3] Festivities inIndia began on 4 June, theKing's Official Birthday, with thegovernor-general throwing a fête inBombay, which was attended by ambassadors from within the Indian Empire and those from surrounding countries.[3] The celebrations in the United Kingdom started with a ball at the Town Hall[clarification needed] on 24 October 1809.[4] The following day, the King and theQueen, along with theDuke of York,Princess Elizabeth, and theDuke of Sussex, marked the event with a private service atSt George's Chapel, Windsor Castle and the King inspected a troop of soldiers, though he was not able to take part in most of the ensuing celebrations due to his declining health.[5] TheRoyal Horse Guards organised an ox roast in Bachelors' Acre,Windsor, [5] which was attended by the Queen, the Duke of York, theDuke of Kent, Princess Elizabeth, theDuke of Cumberland, and the Duke of Sussex, who were later joined by thePrince of Wales andPrincess Charlotte of Wales.[3] TheWindsor Guildhall had built a massive ornate arch across the road, which the royal family and the accompanying party passed through as they entered town.[6] "A grand fête and firework display" atFrogmore was planned and attended by the Queen, accompanied by the dukes of York,Clarence, and Sussex, and the princessesAugusta, Elizabeth, andSophia.[1][5][3] Among other attendees were theEarl of Uxbridge, theEarl and Countess Harcourt, theEarl and Countess of Cardigan, and lordsSt Helens andWalsingham.[3]
Shops were closed to allow for people's participation in festivities and theLord Mayor of London and theCity of London Corporation took part in a procession toSt Paul's Cathedral, which culminated in a service of thanksgiving and later a dinner at theMansion House.[1] Around 400 merchants and bankers met at theMerchant Taylors' Hall, where they were joined by the earls ofWestmorland,Chatham,Bathurst,Camden,Liverpool,St Vincent, as well as lordsHarrowby,Mulgrave andBerkshire.[3] A number of children were christened Jubilee George or Jubilee Charlotte in honour of the King and Queen.[5]
Military deserters and prisoners of war were pardoned and debtors were discharged, excluding those who were of French origin due to the ongoingNapoleonic Wars.[5] Among landmarks commissioned to mark the occasion were a monument erected in Windsor and unveiled in the presence of the Queen, theKing's Statue inWeymouth, theJubilee Rock inBlisland, and the Jubilee Tower inMoel Famau.[2][7][8] A special series ofjugs were also produced inLiverpool to commemorate the jubilee.[9] Two sets of medals were also struck, the King George III Jubilee Medal and the King George III and Queen Charlotte Jubilee Medal.[3]
InIreland, a ball was held atDublin Castle on 27 October 1809 to mark the Jubilee, hosted byCharlotte Lennox, Duchess of Richmond, whose husband was thenLord Lieutenant of Ireland.[10] Charles Johnston Coote hosted a large party on 25 October atBellamont Forest,Cootehill.[11] InBelfast, there were illuminations at the Nelson Club andExchange Rooms, and a "transparency" (projection) of the King was displayed atDonegall Place. Girls born around the time were called "Jubilee."[12] Thegoldsmiths of Dublin established an asylum for aged members called the Goldsmiths' Jubilee Asylum.[13]