Early reign thumb|Portrait by James Lonsdale, 1830. William wears Masonic insignia. When George IV died on 26 June 1830 without surviving legitimate issue, William succeeded him as William IV. Aged 64, he was the oldest person at that point to assume the British throne,Ashley, p. 3. a distinction he would hold until surpassed by Charles III in 2022.
early reign thumb|portrait by james lonsdale 1830 william wears masonic insignia when george iv died on 26 june 1830 without surviving legitimate issue william succeeded him as william iv aged 64 he was the oldest person at that point to assume the british throneashley p 3 a distinction he would hold until surpassed by charles iii in 2022