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Full name: George II
Born: 30th October 1683
Place of Birth: Herrenhausen Gardens,
Hanover, Germany
Ascended to the throne: 11th June 1727,
aged 43 years
Crowned: 11th October 1727, at
Westminster Abbey
Reign: 33 years
Died: 25th October 1760, Kensington
Palace, London
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George was born 10th November 1683, the only son of the elector
of Hanover.
In 1705, he married Princess Caroline of
Brandenburg-Ansbach.
In 1714, he became Prince of Wales when his father acceded to
the British throne.
George's father was disliked throughout England, and people soon
formed around George in opposition to his father's rule.
Robert Walpole, who was the first Prime Minister during George
I's rule, tried to encourage a reconciliation between father and
son, but this meant he fell out of favour with the prince.
When George II succeeded to the throne in 1727, it was only
Caroline that kept Walpole in his position.
Many influential members of public and parliament supported
Charles Edward Stuart's claim to the throne, but Walpole convinced
them of George's legitimacy. As a result, Stuart was defeated in
1746 in the Battle of Culloden.
In 1743, at the age of 60, George became the last British
sovereign to fight alongside his troops in the Battle of
Dettingen.
During the last part of his reign, George lost interest in
politics. England's involvement in the Seven Years' war, was
largely down to William Pitt
George died 25th October 1760, leaving his grandson to inherit
the throne.