King Kamehameha II and Queen Kamāmalu die of measles in London

Background. Kamehameha II and Kamāmalu commissioned the British whaling ship L'Aigle in November 1823 to travel to London. They arrived in Portsmouth on May 17, 1824, and moved to the Caledonian Hotel in London the next day. This journey marked the first visit by Hawaiian monarchs to England, intended for a state audience with King George IV.

Illness and Death. While staying in London, Queen Kamāmalu contracted measles and died on July 8, 1824. Her husband, Kamehameha II, was grief-stricken and subsequently died of the same disease six days later on July 14, 1824. The deaths occurred before the planned audience with King George IV could take place.

Royal Context. King George IV was the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom during the visit. The Hawaiian delegation arrived in May 1824 for a state visit with George IV, but both monarchs contracted measles and died before the scheduled audience could take place.