Dearest readers, this author wishes to impart a little wisdom and admiration for one of Britain’s little-known Queens, who recently gained international acclaim on the Netflix series 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story'. Intelligent, in love, devoted, a mother of 15, mixed-heritage, a German living in Britain, and the longest serving consort – Queen Charlotte was a royal woman unlike any seen before.
This past weekend, two Royal Coronations were watched across global television screens. One a modern royal, 74 years of age, twice-married, father of two sons, with a love of nature, sustainability, global heritage and identity, music, sport and art. The other was a dramatised depiction on Netflix of a coronation, mentioned through the Marriage of King George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, in 1761. They were crowned just two weeks later, after a honeymoon. Like King Charles III, King George was a keen horticulturist interested in agriculture - he was nicknamed ‘Farmer George’ - growing various plants, vegetables and fruits at Kew Gardens and Windsor.
George III’s wife and Queen, however, is another story entirely. A whole book, dozens, and a drama series could be written about her. But here, let’s discover a few key stories and uncover a few rumours if possible. Born Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Streliz, on 19th May 1744, Charlotte was chosen as consort to George III and married aged 17. As depicted in the Queen Charlotte series, they had never met before. However, the King was aware of this marriage, announcing his intentions to wed Charlotte to his council in July 1761. The Earl of Harcourt, among others, went to Germany with the marriage contract for Adolphus Frederick IV, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Like a reality show today, the couple were married at first sight… and it worked!