His Majesty King Kamehameha IV (Alexander 'Iolani Kalanikualiholiho Maka o ʻIouli Kūnuiākea o Kūkāʻilimoku) was born on February 9, 1834 in Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu. His father was High Chief Mataio Kekūanāoʻa, and his mother was Princess Kīnaʻu a sister of His Majesty King Kamehameha III who adopted and decreed Alexander heir to the throne.

​

King Kamehameha III died on December 15, 1854 and on January 11, 1855 Alexander took the oath under the title of His Majesty King Kamehameha IV, succeeding his uncle when he was only 20 years old.

​

King Kamehameha IV married his cousin, High Chiefess Princess Emma Rooke whom he had met in childhood at the Chiefs' Children's School of those ali’i who were eligible to be rulers.

 

His wife, Queen Consort Emma was the granddaughter of John Young, who was King Kamehameha I's British royal advisor and companion. She also was Kamehameha's great-grandniece.

​

After marrying in 1856, the royal couple had their only child on May 20, 1858, named His Royal Highness Prince Albert Edward Kauikeaouli Kaleiopapa a Kamehameha. Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was Prince Albert's godmother, but unfortunately, at the age of four, the young prince died on August 27, 1862, it was believed to be "brain fever" or meningitis.

His Majesty King Kamehameha IV died of chronic asthma on November 30, 1863, and was succeeded by his brother, becoming king under the title of His Majesty King Kamehameha V.