Queen Charlotte

1744-1818. Wife of George III.

19th May, 1744 – 17th November, 1818. Queen consort of Great Britain and Ireland/ United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1761 – 1818

Queen Charlotte was born on 19th May, 1744 as Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She was the eight and youngest child of Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg and Princess Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen. Due to her family’s connection to the African branch of the Portuguese Royal House, she is also sometimes called the Black Queen. Although the African bloodline in the British royal family is not widely known, experts assume nowadays that portrait painters where told to soften the Queens African facial features when drawing the royal Highness. Many research articles deal with the thesis that Queen Charlotte in fact was the first biracial Queen of the United Kingdom.

In her childhood she received a rather ordinary education, only later in life she learned about princely duties and about life in court. This was one of the reasons George III chose her as his wife after his coronation as her up bringing in a small and politically not too involved north German duchy led him to the conclusion that Charlotte herself wouldn’t be too interested in power politics or party intrigues. Although she was not getting engaged in political affairs, she had influence on them through her husband, the King. Apparently, she never took influence directly but preferred to give indirect and discrete recommendations for offices. She also liked to inform herself about politics, especially German affairs and issues were of interest to her.

Charlotte married King George III in September 1761 in London at the age of 17 years and thus became Queen of Great Britain and Queen of Ireland. As the two kingdoms united in 1801, she became Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. Moreover, Charlotte was also the Electress of Hanover until George III became King of Hanover which made her Queen consort of Hanover. She and her husband were parents to fifteen children, two of them died at a young age. Two of their children (George IV and Willian IV) became British monarchs, others were King of Hanover (Ernest Augustus) and Queen of Württemberg (Charlotte).

When marrying George III Charlotte did not speak English but she learned it quickly although preserving a harsh German accent. During her first years in England, she also had troubles adjusting as Princess Augusta, the queen mother and thus her mother-in-law, interfered with her life by insisting on rigid court etiquette. Thus, Charlotte had difficulties with the adaption to the life of the British court. Moreover, Charlotte and her husband preferred a more domestic and informal lifestyle as they spent most of their time in Buckingham House or the Queen’s Lodge at Windsor and not in the official palace. This was not liked by everyone. Charlotte was known for being very interested in arts – especially music - and botany. As an amateur botanist she not only helped to expand Kew Gardens but also tried to cure her husband’s physical and mental illness. Furthermore, it is said that she brought the Christmas Tree to England: She had the first one in her house in 1800. Above that she also enjoyed decorating the family’s informal residences. Notes and letters written by Queen Charlotte herself also reveal her friendly and warm nature.

During the King’s mental illness, which was constantly getting worse, the Queen’s personality changed as well: She got depressed and removed herself from the social life, not enjoying her hobbies and the presence of her family anymore. She finally died in 1818 in the presence of her eldest son. Charlotte was buried at St. George’s Chapel.

Sources:

https://aaregistry.org/story/englands-first-black-queen-sophie-charlotte-born/ https://www.royal.uk/queen-charlotte https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews-arts-culture/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-queen-charlotte-180967373/