In Netflix‘s limited series, a young Queen Charlotte is depicted around the time she married King George III.
The whole thing was made up without any historical basis, as you probably wouldn’t be surprised to hear.
It is important to note, however, that Queen Charlotte and King George III were actual, real members of the British royal family.
It was just changed and inspired by a rumour.
Here’s what you need to know about the real former queen.
When did Queen Charlotte reign?
According to the British royal family website, Charlotte was born Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz on May 19, 1744 in Mirow, Germany, which was then a part of the Holy Roman Empire.
Her father was a duke and her mother was a princess, making Charlotte a princess, too.
A young 22-year-old George III succeeded to the throne in 1760 without having been married.
Princess Charlotte was chosen to marry him and moved from Germany to England.
At the time, she was 17 years old.
What was Queen Charlotte’s relationship like with King George III?
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story obviously focuses on the romance between Charlotte and George.
Despite the fact that not all can be known about a couple who married over 250 years ago, it is believed that the king and queen had a loving relationship.
The Royal Collection Trust published letters Charlotte wrote to George.
In one she wrote,
“You will have the benefit by Your voyages to put Spirit in every Body, to be more known by the World, and if Possible more beloved by the People in general. That must be the case, but not equal to the love of her who subscribes herself Your very affectionate Friend and Wife Charlotte.”
As shown in Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte, while they found love following their arranged marriage, they had to grapple with George’s mental illness.
In 1765, King George III experienced his first, temporary bout of mental illness, according to the royal family’s website.
In 1811, he began to suffer from what was described as “permanent madness.”
History Extra reports that George became violent at times.
Although Charlotte became his “devoted guardian,” she would not visit him alone.
Did Queen Charlotte have children?
In 22 years, Charlotte and George III welcomed 15 children, 13 of whom survived to adulthood.
After George III’s mental illness, their first son, George IV, became the Prince Regent (similar to a King) until his father died in 1820.
In 1818, Charlotte died.
Was Queen Charlotte actually Black?
In Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte, she is portrayed by biracial actors Golda Rosheuvel and India Amarteifio.
The show emphasizes Queen Charlotte’s role in bringing British high society together.
She is seen as the catalyst for that to happen, although that was evidently not the case in the 18th century.
Queen Charlotte’s character is depicted in this way and has some real-life basis, however.
Some old descriptions of Charlotte and a particularly famous painting have suggested she had Black ancestry, but most historians agree this suggestion is inaccurate, lacking evidence, and that Charlotte was not Black.
“We took the idea that Queen Charlotte was from Black Portuguese royalty and ran with it,” Queen Charlotte creator Shonda Rhimes said.
What was Queen Charlotte like?
Queen Charlotte of Bridgerton loves gossip, wears extravagant outfits, wigs, and jewellery, and is always surrounded by her entourage, and it sounds like at least some of this is based on reality.
According to the Royal Collection Trust, “Charlotte’s tastes were rather less plain than her husband’s.”
They were the first royals to live in Buckingham Palace, and Charlotte collected furniture, porcelain, and jewellery, as well as diamonds and pearls.
Additionally, the royal was said to be very interested in music and botany.
What do you make of Netflix’s Queen Charlotte? Let us know!
