The Queen's clockmaker, Robert Ball, makes some last minute checks, to the longcase equation clock made by Thomas Tompion and owned by George III, who took a great interest in horology, before an exhibition about the monarch and Queen Charlotte opens at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London. On its four faces, all worked by one comprehensive movement, the clock simultaneously records the time at locations around the world relative to mean time, high and low tides around its seaports, planetary movements and displays the temperature on its orerry dial. Portrait at right is of the young King George III, in his coronation robes, painted by Allan Ramsay 1761-2. 26/3/04: The Queen's clockmaker, Robert Ball checking a unique exhibition of royal treasures from the reign of George III and Queen Charlotte was opening to the public at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace. George III's record as one of the greatest patrons of the arts and sciences has been overshadowed by his image as 'the mad king' and the monarch who lost America. (Photo by Fiona Hanson - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)
Getty Images

PA Images Fiona Hanson - PA Images