Mary Darby Robinson 1758-1800 king george IV mistress Perdita
King George IV indulged in a teenage affair in 1779, with the celebrated actress Mrs. Mary Robinson, after watching her play Perdita in 'A Winter's Tale'. Her royal suitor showered gifts on her, but the affair did not last, coming to an end in the spring of 1781. Mrs. Robinson retained some of the Prince's more amorous letters, which George III had to pay a reported five thousand pounds to recover to avoid scandal. Mary Robinson appeared in her most famous (and infamous) role at age 21, a four-year veteran of the stage. Her success as Perdita in A Winter's Tale led to a royal request for a command performance. On December 3, 1779, the 17-year-old Prince of Wales (later King George IV) determined to make her his mistress. Lord Malden was sent to negotiate with her on the Prince's behalf. A hot exchange of letters ensued between "Perdita" and "Florizel", and the prince paid her marked attentions in public. Papparazzi of the time, such as the Morning Post and Morning Herald, were quick to scent a scandal, and began to link her with both the prince and Lord Malden. In addition to letters vowing eternal affection, the prince sent gifts which included a miniature portrait, set in diamonds, and a bond of £20,000, to be paid when he came of age. At one point, Mary Robinson became ill, something that often happened when she was under severe stress. Eventually, however, she agreed to become the Prince's mistress. The newspapers followed the relationship with glee, publishing sometimes daily notes on its suspected progress. "The writer has paid the highest compliments to the young lady in question, who could make a conquest in the heart of a young and illustrious personage, at the very moment when he is surrounded by all the beauties of the British Court, vying with each other to capture and ensnare him." (anonymous, Morning Post, July 22, 1780). "A certain illustrious young personage is said to have promised that Mrs. R---'s establishment should immediately succeed him.
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Keywords: 1758-1800, chaise, darby, george, iv, king, long, mary, mistr, mistress, perdita, reclining, robinson, seductive
