How The Spectator covered the deaths of previous British monarchs

To commemorate the 70-year and-214-day-long reign of Queen Elizabeth II, this week’s issue of The Spectator is the first ever to feature a front-and-back design. Illustrated by Morten Morland, its design is inspired by Victorian-style mourning cards and includes a mixture of details from the royal coat of arms, as well as a few personal touches.

Since 1828, The Spectator has covered the deaths of seven previous British monarchs. Here they are.

King George IV

Two years into the weekly publishing of the magazine, King George IV died on 26 June 1830. ‘Of his education we know very little; but that it was careful, there is no reason to doubt. His knowledge of French was perfect, and his English was singularly pure and elegant. No man ever turned a compliment better…’

King William IV

Seven years on, the country witnessed the death of King William IV on 20 June 1837. Reportedly, his passing was largely expected: ‘the public has been for some time prepared; as the bulletins published by his late Majesty’s physicians, though framed with a view to deception, deceived nobody; and it was universally believed that he was irrecoverably ill.’

Queen Victoria

To mark the end of – at the time – the longest reigning monarch in British history, The Spectator’s 26 January 1901 issue detailed how Queen Victoria achieved such reverence.