Biographie

In 1836, at his final birthday banquet, he infamously gave a speech stating that he hoped to live until the 18th birthday of his niece and heir, Princess Victoria (later Queen Victoria), because he distrusted Victoria's mother Victoria, Duchess of Kent and Strathearn, and wanted to prevent her from becoming her daughter's regent, and said she was "surrounded by evil advisers" and "incompetent to act with propriety in the situation in which she would be placed." Both women were present, and Princess Victoria burst into tears while her mother sat in silence. William died a month after Victoria turned 18, avoiding a regency.

King of the United Kingdom and the British dominions, 1830 to 1837.

He fathered five children with his wife Adelaide, but none survived infancy.

He had ten children with his mistress Dorothea Jordan. All were born with the surname FitzClarence, meaning "son of Clarence", as William was the Duke of Clarence. He also had a son with an unknown woman who drowned as a child.

At 64, he was the oldest English or British monarch to ascend the throne, until King Charles III surpassed him.