I wonder if David Starkey (C4, tonight 9.00pm) will mention my ancestor (Maria Fitzherbert) in his programme about royalty marrying commoners ?

Maria "married" the Prince of Wales - later King George IV - (in her drawing room !) but Parliament dissolved the marriage when they found out she was a Catholic. The marriage was in breach of both the Act of Succession and the Royal Marriages Act - but the Pope said it was a genuine marriage and had been carried out under Canon Law, thus making it valid.

The Prince of Wales was "forced" to marry a German Princess (before Parliament would clear his debts), but once he had made her pregnant he never saw her again (even having her barred from his own coronation) - she apparently went round Westminster Abbey banging on the doors demanding to be let in. The resulting child (a girl) died at the age of 8, so never influenced the succession.

The Prince and Maria Fitzherbert lived together for 20 years (after the other marriage !) and although they had parted when he became King, they remained friends.

When Maria heard that the King was ill (and thought to be near death) show wrote to him suggesting a last meeting. He never replied - but her letter to him was found under his pillow on his deathbed.

Around his neck he wore a locket, with Maria's picture inside, and his will stipulated that he be buried with the locket (which he was).

After his death the throne passed to his brother (who became William IV) and his first act was to visit Mrs Fitzherbert (in Brighton) and offer her use of the Royal Livery (a clear acknowledgement that he knew she was the King's only true love). She refused - saying that as she had not been acknowledged during her marriage she would not accept it now.

He then offer to make her a Duchess - she again refused.

Rumours of at least one child from this marriage (later smuggled and resettled in America) have been around for ages.

Yes - David Starkey did mention my ancestor on the programme.

If they had not interfered with the original marriage the country would not have had 200 years of German rule ... with the royals eventually having to change their name (to Windsor) and pretend to be English.

It was also clearly a marriage of love .... look what happened -

Edward - abdicated - (for love)

then George VI's children / grandchildren-

Princess Margaret - divorced

Princess Anne - divorced

Prince Andrew - divorced

Prince Charles - divorced

so yor a commoner