What's wrong with King George in Bridgerton? Details explored

Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte in Bridgerton (Image via Netflix)
Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte in Bridgerton (Image via Netflix)

If Bridgerton, for you, is just a series about romance and drama, you need to rewatch it. It's much more than just that. It touches upon themes of stigma, societal expectations, and even mental health. If you have been watching Bridgerton, you may have noticed that King George does not appear frequently. He is mostly just mentioned by the Queen. We just know that he is sick and so kept away.

But there is something mysterious about him from the very beginning. The show hints at his unstable health but never really tells us what's wrong with the king. So viewers were curious. The answers came when Queen Charlotte (Bridgerton's prequel released. He is charming and kind in that series. But also distant and lost in his own world.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story portrays Queen Charlotte’s devotion to George. It is one of the most emotional parts of the series. Their love is powerful. However, it is also quite challenging, as it is constantly tested by something beyond their control.

King George is battling an illness that slowly takes him away from himself and from the woman who loves him the most.


Bridgerton: What’s wrong with King George?

King George’s condition is shown through confusion, panic, and disorientation. He sometimes forgets where he is, talks to himself, or experiences episodes that make it difficult for him to function normally. The show takes inspiration from real history. The real King George III of England also suffered from recurring bouts of mental illness that affected his speech, behavior, and memory.

Historians once believed he had a rare blood disorder called porphyria. But modern medical experts now think he most likely had bipolar disorder. That means his mood would swing between periods of energy and sadness, which matches what we see on screen.

The Netflix version of George shows signs of this much earlier than the real-life King ever did. He was shown as someone who often oscillated between moments of brilliance and total confusion. He could be sweet and gentle one moment. And then suddenly be all anxious, paranoid, or lost in his own thoughts the next. Sometimes he would speak rapidly or act erratically. He would even hide under the bed to feel safe.

In history, King George’s worst episodes came later in his life. But in the show, his symptoms start when he is still young and newly married. That change was made on purpose. It helps the audience see how mental illness can affect even the happiest relationships. Queen Charlotte’s patience and love for George make their story touching and tragic. She tries to help him. But the world around them doesn’t understand what he is going through.

The treatments back then were harsh and made things worse. Doctors believed that bleeding or isolating the patient could “cure” the mind. But these methods only increased George’s suffering. The Netflix series shows this pain in a very emotional way. Especially when George hides from Charlotte. He thinks that by doing so, he is protecting her from his “madness.”

So what’s wrong with King George is something that science at the time couldn’t explain or treat properly. His story in Bridgerton is more than just about his sickness. It’s about love, loyalty, and the tragedy of losing oneself piece by piece while still being loved completely.


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Edited by Parishmita Baruah