A Royal Scandal (1997) features Richard E. Grant as Prince George, the loutish heir to the throne of England, and centers on the Prince’s notoriously miserable marriage to Caroline of Brunswick (played by Susan Lynch) in 1795. Throughout the film, we see the two royals square off with one another as George, perpetually drunk, tries everything in his power to dispose of Caroline almost as soon as they first meet. Eventually reaching a detente, Caroline agrees to living as far away from George as possible, eventually running off to travel Europe while racking up loads of debt and loads more scandal. When George finally ascends the throne as King, Caroline returns from her exile and shows up uninvited to Westminster Abbey, demanding to be allowed inside to take her place as Queen. The only way out at this point is to put Caroline on trial in an attempt to secure proof that she was engaged in adulterous affairs. This backfired, as Caroline’s popularity with the populace grew, many of the opinion that she had been scorned by her husband and his countless mistresses (and one illegal marriage).
The costumes were designed by Colin Lavers and Tina Waugh, and are pretty decent examples of late-18th-century and early Regency dress. The wigs, as is typical for this era of historical film, leave a lot to be desired, particularly George’s frizzed wig that he wears throughout the first half. Once he abandons the wig for the more natural style of the early Regency period, things improve drastically.
A Royal Scandal is currently playing on Amazon Prime Video in the States, so check it out if you want an uncomplicated, fairly slow story with decent costumes that won’t smack of effort to watch. I know that sounds like faint praise, but, well … it is.
I watched this years ago on Masterpiece Theatre. I thought Richard E. Grant was miscast as the Prince of Wales (George IV) and I didn’t think much of Susan Lynch either. However, I did like the fact that someone had done a film about their disastrous marriage. I think this came out around the time The Madness of King George was in theatres. Would love someone to remake this. I mean if we can have multiple films/series about Queen Victoria!
Did they run out of collars when they got to Richard E Grant’s costumes and replace them with neckbraces? He looks choked.
That collar is nothing compared to Nigel Bruce in The Scarlet Pimpernel.
I’m going to look this up on Amazon. I vaguely remember it from Masterpiece Theatre.
I hadn’t known this, so thanks. Does he get stouter as the years go on as per life…?
Thank you so much for mentioning this film, never heard of it before. The story is so interesting and fascinating as is the fashion period (too bad that there aren’t more early regency/late 18th century films out there). Will definatley give it a try
I remember Jane Austen writing in a letter that she supported Princess Caroline because she was a woman and ‘because I hate her husband’.
I would rather see more films about this era, this horrible marriage, and Princess Charlotte. I’m burned out on Tudor Era films and I wish the media would stop now.