Prince George & Master Frederick: Royal Friends and Secret Brothers

by Rosalind Freeborn

1765 a four-year-old orphan boy is bundled into a carriage with a woman he doesn't know and taken to the Royal Palace at Richmond to be a playmate for the three-year old Prince George, son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. But what is the child’s secret connection to the King?
Prince George & Master Frederick follows the lives of Prince George, future Regent and King, and Frederick Blomberg, the boy who was brought up like a prince within the royal household.
Although Prince George and Master Frederick pursued different paths in life – Prince George gained a reputation as a spendthrift and womaniser and Master Frederick became an eccentric parish priest – the two remained closely bonded, especially during the tumultuous years of the King’s madness and Prince George’s role as regent
In bringing to life the story of an intriguing, and little-known member of the Georgian Royal Family who has been hiding in
plain sight all these years, Prince George & Master Frederick cleverly blends fact and fiction to create a compelling and moving story of royal friends and secret brothers.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2025

About the author

I started my career as a book publicist in some major London publishing companies and then went on to promote the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I set up my own consultancy promoting artists, film makers, designers and creative people. Later I handled the publicity for major charities such as Tommy's and Great Ormond Street Hospital. I was later a director at a PR consultancy specialising in art, design and retail.

But I'd always wanted to develop my creative side and, in my 40s I went to City & Guilds of London Art school to study fine art. I wanted to be a portrait painter but, secretly, I loved paper. On graduation I specialised in paper and am now a paper collage artist - I exhibit and sell my work.

However, all this time I was always busy writing. A few years ago I decided to investigate a story my grandmother had told me when I was a child that our family had a connection with royalty - in particular, the secret son of King George III born, she said, 'wrong side of the blanket'. Well, thanks to the internet I started researching Frederick Blomberg and was astonished to discover that my grandmother was right. Frederick, as a little boy, had been adopted into the royal family and brought up within the household at Richmond, Kew and Windsor. He became best friends with Prince George, the future regent and King George IV. I was so intrigued that I felt compelled to write his story as a novel. The result was Prince George & Master Frederick which was published by Alliance Publishing Press in January 2025.

I'm married to Simon Battersby and have four grown up daughters and five grandchildren.

Reviews

[W.S. Luk · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When we were children, I just remember wanting to be loved, whilst you were desperate to be king."

I had the pleasure of reading this book and interviewing Rosalind Freeborn for an article in LOST ART magazine. This story about Frederick Blomberg, George IV's childhood companion and possible illegitimate brother, is a psychologically sensitive story about growing up in the shadow of immense power and privilege. Framing the tumult of Regency England against Frederick's search for identity, this book not only offers a peek behind the scenes at a fascinating era of English history, but engages empathetically with George IV's character, showing how his profligate, bullying behaviour masked a deep vulnerability. When Freeborn publishes her next book, I'll likely be first in line for it.

[Cecilie Schøpp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, in fact I had trouble putting it down. The story is captivating and is very well written. The author describes the relationship between the two boys in such a beautiful and vivid way that you’re left with a feeling of sorrow when you’ve finished reading. Do take the journey back to the 18th century and get to know these two boys. They deserve it and you won’t regret it.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well-researched dive into the Georgian period of British royal history blends factual events and real people with fictional ones to create an intriguing, episodic narrative. The central premise - that Master Frederick Blomberg was the illegitimate, first-born son of King George 111 and secret half-brother of the Prince Regent, later King George 1v - is convincingly presented and brought to life in a sympathetic, imaginative way. A thoroughly impressive debut.

[Peter Selby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story, so interesting and well written

[Helen Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO interesting and really brought King George 4th to life by giving such a well researched and vividly imagined account of his childhood and, in particular, the relationship with Master Frederick. The newly crowned king who came to Edinburgh in 1822 and was lampooned by many has now become a much more complex character in my mind!

[me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy and enjoyable read. You really feel as if you know these two main characters. Clearly, words have to be put in their mouths, but both Master Frederick and Prince/King George become real people. Good for a book group to discuss - their characters and situation.

[Ms Wormy 84 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming and beautifully written piece of historical fiction that sheds interesting new light on the role of Frederick Blomberg and his relationship with George IV. Freeborn's writing is clear and entertaining and the story pulls you through decades of Regency history through the eyes of the young Blomberg, who has no idea of his true parentage or why he's been taken away from his family to live among the royal princes at Buckingham House. Highly recommended.