King Ernest Augustus I and Queen Frederica of Hanover, two of my favorite pre-Victorian royals.
Ernest (aka The Duke of Cumberland), inherited the throne of Hanover from his brother William IV, as due to the Salic law, Victoria could not inherit in Germany.
He was an autocrat, very reactionary, and almost lost his throne.
He was seen as an evil person in his own time, people on the street avoided him. He had an eye missing and was suspected in the murder of his valet.
He married his first cousin, Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and they began to try to produce an heir, even before the death of Princess Charlotte. He was one step ahead of the Great Marriage Race between his brothers.
His marriage was not approved of by anyone in England, including Queen Charlotte, who was the aunt of Frederica, and for good reason.
Frederica was suspected in the murder of not one but two previous husbands! They were 1.)Prince Louis of Prussia, who, although they divorced in 1796, died mysteriously soon after, in the same year. 2.)Prince Frederick of Solms-Braunfels, who also died mysteriously and conveniently just in time for Frederica to marry Ernst and produce an heir. She had 8 or 9 children by the first two hubands.
She was notorious in Germany and England, always involved in various intrigues and affairs.
She and Ernest continually schemed and plotted for the throne of Great Britain, their ultimate prize.
However, they had to settle for Hanover, and she spent the last 4 years of her life as a queen.
King Ernst spent much time in England, bothering his neice Queen Victoria as much as possible and even suing her for Princess Charlotte's jewels, which he believed belonged to the Crown of Hanover.
Ernst and Frederica had one surviving child, George, or "Blind George", who succeeded his father in 1851 as King George V of Hanover.
George V married Marie of Saxe-Altenberg and had: Ernst August II (married Thyra), Frederica (Baroness Pawel-Rammingen), and Mary, who died young.
Blind George was deposed in 1866.