William IV became the king of Britain after the death of his brother, George IV. Born on August 21, 1765, William had a distinguished naval career before his accession and often sympathized with the emerging reformist sentiment in the country. His reign started at a time when Britain faced various challenges, including widespread calls for political reform and the demand for expanded suffrage. As king, he was generally perceived as more approachable than his predecessors and had a unique ability to connect with the public.

During William's reign, social and political life in Britain was undergoing significant transformation. The Industrial Revolution was reshaping the economy, and there was a growing demand among the populace for parliamentary reform and an expansion of voting rights to the middle and working classes. The Reform Act of 1832 was a pivotal measure during his reign, reflecting changes in public opinion and the evolving nature of British society. William’s support for reform paved the way for increased representation in Parliament and helped lay the groundwork for modern democracy in Britain.

Despite his interest in reform, William's reign also faced challenges, such as the economic distress leading to the Peterloo Massacre in 1819 a decade earlier, which strained relations between the monarchy and the public. Overall, William IV's reign, although relatively short, was integral in shaping the trajectory of the British constitutional monarchy and the political landscape of the nation.