Now, more dependent than ever on the patronage of Louis-Philippe, SaintGeorges soon became a pawn of trans-Channel political intrigue. While LouisPhilippe was interested in positioning himself, Brissot also wanted to renew his associations with prominent English abolitionists and promote the cause in France. George IV had long expressed a desire to meet Saint-Georges and hold a fencing match in England, and this provided Louis-Philippe and Brissot the opportunity to make overtures. Louis-Philippe asked Saint-Georges to visit London as a personal favour to him and, by 10 January 1787, the Morning Herald announced Saint-Georges's imminent trip to London. He stayed with Henry Angelo, another famous head of a renowned fencing academy, at his  
home on Carlisle Street. Angelo's home drew an eclectic crowd of visitors to say the least, including the transgendered Chevalier d'Éon de Beaumont (1728-1810), commonly known as Madame la Chevalière d'Éon. In the event, the matches between Saint-Georges and d'Éon, among others, were held on 9 April 1787, and were to some degree a grand spectacle.