Transcript
BILLIE
This bedroom belonged to another of George’s brothers, William. He became king after George died in 1830. King William the Fourth.
ALFIE
His bed is very small!
BILLIE
It just looks small, because we’re in a big room. Plus it’s on a platform.
ALFIE
I wish my bed had curtains!
BILLIE
It’s a canopy, so he could have a bit of privacy, with all his servants wandering around, lighting fires, emptying his chamber pot and things.
ALFIE
(TEASING) Like you’ll be doing when you’re a charwoman.
BILLIE
I’m not going to be a charwoman! Not even for a king.
ALFIE
Why did George’s brother become king? Didn’t he have any children to inherit the throne?
BILLIE
He only had one heir, Princess Charlotte, and she died before George did, just after giving birth to a little boy, who also died.
ALFIE
That’s very sad.
BILLIE
Child birth was very dangerous in those days. Lots of children died, and often so did their mothers. Even when they were royal princesses.