Royal Scandal or Myth? The Story of George III’s Alleged Secret Marriage

King George III is well known to history – remembered as the monarch who lost the American colonies, the father of a large family, and a man who struggled with mental illness later in life. His early years are often recalled for his devoted family life, especially his enduring marriage to Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, which lasted 57 years until her death in 1818 and produced 15 children.

Yet, there remains an intriguing historical mystery: could Charlotte have been George’s second wife?

The story revolves around Hannah Lightfoot, a Quaker woman born to a shoemaker and his wife. She married Isaac Axford in 1753 but vanished in early 1755. Axford declared himself a widower by 1759 and remarried. However, rumours persisted that Hannah had not simply disappeared but was allegedly abducted by the then Prince of Wales.

George was known to admire the simplicity of Quaker life. According to speculation, he met a striking Quaker woman at a ball at Northumberland House and pursued a secret affair. Whispered tales suggested he married Hannah in 1759 and fathered two children with her – rumours that endured for decades.

Despite these stories, George’s marriage to Charlotte continued without interruption, and no conclusive evidence has ever been found to support the claim of a secret marriage or children with Lightfoot. Historians also question whether such a marriage would have been valid under Church of England rules, which require both parties to be baptised Christians eligible to marry. Since Quakers do not practice baptism in the traditional sense, any union would likely have been legally invalid.

Regardless, the Hanoverian succession remained intact, passing through George’s eldest son, George IV, and subsequently William IV, as the law dictated.

Several families worldwide have claimed descent from George and Hannah Lightfoot. Yet, as of 2020, DNA testing has shown no biological connection to the monarch. While the tale of Hannah Lightfoot remains an intriguing footnote, it seems largely to be a royal myth rather than historical fact.