Here's the latest occasional column from Sue Yates, chair of Thurrock Historical Society, who looks back on last month's coronation and recalls the memories it triggered.

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I WAS in Liverpool when King Charles III was crowned. As I watched the coronation on a large screen on the river front in the city centre it brought to mind a story I was told by the 5th baronet, Sir Richard Barrett-Lennard, and supported by the Barrett-Lennard papers in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland.

The story concerned the 1st baronet Sir Thomas Barrett-Lennard and his part in the coronation of the Prince Regent as King George IV.

George III was a very popular monarch but his son the future George IV was the opposite and was seen as extravagant and a wastrel. At the age of 23 in 1785 he illegally married Maria Fitzherbert aged 29. He had fallen in love with her and when she declined his attentions he threatened to take his life and stabbed himself, though not seriously. The Royal Marriages act of 1772 made weddings without the sovereign's permission illegal. By the year 1794 he was in debt to the tune of £600,000 (£38 million in today's money).

As a result it was decided to marry George off to his cousin Princess Caroline of Brunswick. It was to be a disastrous match.

On Caroline's arrival in England she was met by Lady Jersey, Prince George's mistress - hardly diplomatic.

Caroline was 26 he was 33. She was said to be coarse, intelligent, swore like a trooper and did not believe in personal hygiene. George however was very fat and therefore known as 'the Prince of Whales'.

On meeting his bride George is said to have demanded a large glass of Brandy. She was not very impressed with him either.

According to Caroline he spent their first night passed out with drink in the fireplace only joining her in bed in the morning.

Lady Jersey joined them on their honeymoon too. Nine months later their only child Charlotte Augusta was born and three days later George wrote his will, leaving only 1 shilling to Caroline and declared that Mrs Fitzherbert was his true wife.

Despite mediation from his father things went from bad to worse. Caroline moved out to Blackheath and though accused of adultery, investigations in 1806 could find no proof. When questioned on the matter Caroline said the only person she committed adultery with was the husband of Mrs Fitzherbert.

In 1813 Caroline left England. On 29th January 1820 George III died at Windsor Castle. George IV ascended the throne.

Plans were made for his coronation on 1st August 1820. On hearing this Caroline returned to England on 5th June to claim her right to be crowned Queen Consort.

Plans for the coronation moved on in fact George forced the government of the day to introduce the Bill of Pains and Penalties to deprive his Caroline of any titles, rights and privileges because of this the coronation was postponed until 19th July 1821.

This bid failed and Caroline was simply just written out of the ceremony.

The Queen Consort was refused entry. Image by unknown engraver.

She was not to be denied that easily.

Sir Thomas Barrett-Lennard born 6th January 1762 was the illegitimate son of the 17th Lord Dacre and as such could not inherit the title but was made a baronet in his own right on 30th June 1801 and was therefore invited to attend the coronation. Sir Thomas had lived a quiet life but this was his 15 minutes of fame.

George had banned Caroline from the ceremony and security was very tight. Lord Hood had written on 16th July 1821 to say the Queen would be attending the coronation. Caroline duly arrived at 6am with her Chamberlain, Lord Hood, and attempted to gain entry. First she tried entry via Westminster Hall but was turned away despite applause from a sympathetic section of the crowd.

They then tried a side door and again were refused entry. They tried entry via the House of Lords but failed the Queen then returned to her carriage and made for the Abbey itself.

It was at this point that Sir Thomas Barrett-Lennard left the Abbey for a breath of fresh air. This was when he encountered Queen Caroline and Lord Hood. She tried to gain entry via the door which he was guarding.

Removing her veil she said: "Sir Thomas Lennard I have seen you at Southend; know me as the Queen of England.

"As your Queen I command you to afford me ingress to the church by that private door."

"May it please your Majesty" replied Sir Thomas, bowing very low, "though it is well known that I sympathise with your cause, the word of honour of an English gentleman must not be broken and all the Royalty of Europe could not make me do so. In everything else I am your Majesty's most faithful servant."

Caroline returned to her coach and left with the watching crowds chanting "shame, shame".