Modern medical analysis may be rewriting the story of King George III, long portrayed as the 'mad king who lost America'. Historian Lucy Worsley explores new research suggesting his erratic behaviour stemmed from mental illness, not a physical disorder.
For years, many historians attributed George III's symptoms to porphyria, a genetic blood disorder causing aches, pains, and blue urine. This theory inspired Alan Bennett's play The Madness of George III. However, a study by Dr Peter Garrard and Dr Vassiliki Rentoumi at St George's, University of London, challenges this view.
Analysing thousands of the king's handwritten letters, the researchers found that during illness, his sentences grew unusually long—sometimes 400 words with eight verbs—and his vocabulary became more complex and repetitive. These patterns mirror modern manic episodes in bipolar disorder. Contemporary accounts of his 'incessant loquacity' and convulsions support this psychiatric diagnosis.
The study also casts doubt on the blue urine symptom, a key piece of evidence for porphyria. George III's medical records show he was given gentian-based medicine, which can turn urine blue. Thus, the symptom may have been caused by treatment, not illness.
Worsley's documentary series Fit To Rule: How Royal Illness Changed History highlights how George III's health crises, while severe, ultimately strengthened the monarchy. His withdrawals to Kew Palace triggered political debates over regency, but his constitutional role limited the impact. Despite his illness, he remained a respected, diligent king whose absence made politicians value his calming influence.
