This epic historical drama, based on screenwriter Alan Bennett's play, looks behind the mythology to present a realist portrait of the life and politics of England's mad King George III. The year is 1788 and King George III has been on the throne for almost 30 years. His personal life was considered an example to his subjects. His wife Queen Charlotte adored him. Together they had 15 children including the Duke of York and the Prince of Wales. But soon cracks began to appear in the royal facade as the King began to display disturbing idiosyncrasies such as his inexplicable bouts of cursing at his wife, and the time he stopped a royal concert to take over the piano and deliver a concert of his own. The royal physicians were baffled by their king's behavior. George continued to worsen until he became the patient of Dr. Willis. Willis subjected the king to a rigorous regimen of psychotherapeutic techniques. In a more political vein the story also examines the king's obsession with the American colonies which he had recently lost.