George's grandfather, King George II, disliked George's father, the Prince of Wales, and took little interest in his grandchildren. However, in 1751, the Prince of Wales died unexpectedly from a lung injury at the age of 44, and George inherited his father's dukedoms and became his grandfather's heir apparent. Now more interested in his grandson, three weeks later the king bestowed on him the title Prince of Wales. George became king at age 22 upon the death of his grandfather.
