Fitzherbert was tantamount to a public renunciation of his marriage to Caroline. True she was the Princess of Wales and mother of Princess Charlotte, but everywhere Maria Fitzherbert was received with the Prince and apart from openly being acknowledged as such was in every other way his wife. In spite of her apparent acceptance of this extraordinary situation, Caroline was at heart deeply wounded. Her only friend was the King and his health was declining rapidly. He visited her now and then and she was allowed to visit him; he showed clearly that he had a firm and growing affection for her which, Caroline confided to Miss Hayman, was comforting. She was entertaining more frequently at Montague House, and was delighted to find that there were people who were prepared to visit her in spite of the fact that they knew they displeased the Prince of Wales by doing so. It was not only the Prince of Wales who was displeased but the Queen also; and as the King was growing stranger every day it seemed as though Caroline would not long have a supporter in the royal family.
