Therefore, King William IV's malice was primarily directed at Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent.
He still harbored resentment towards the Duchess of Kent for looking down on his illegitimate child "FitzClarence."
King William IV always had an open attitude regarding the issue of illegitimacy in the Royal Family, treating both his own ten illegitimate children and his brothers' as his own nieces and nephews. He never considered illegitimacy a disgrace to the Royal Family, but rather believed it would make others admire his fertility.
However, the Duchess of Kent was completely on the opposite side of King William IV regarding this matter. Not only did she look down on William IV's illegitimate children, her attitude towards other royal illegitimate children was also quite disdainful.
King William IV had clashed with the Duchess of Kent on this issue more than once, but Victoria's clandestine affair with Elphinstone clearly gave him an opportunity.
