The real story of Queen Charlotte — what 'Bridgerton' got right

Although German, Queen Charlotte's family is believed to be traced back to Martin Alfonso de Sousa Chichorro, the illegitimate son of Alfonso III of Portugal and his Moorish mistress Oruana (also referred to as Madragana). However, there are 600 years between Charlotte and her rumored African ancestor.

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Further theories about her race -

While her racial background can't be entirely confirmed, art historians have noted portraits of her having more European features and fair skin, and others showing a darker complexion with a fuller nose and mouth. Back then, artists were typically encouraged to downplay features deemed "undesirable," which included non-European features.

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Queen Charlotte was an incredibly smart woman -

Although her level of education was considered relatively simple for a monarch, Charlotte continued to educate herself after her marriage to George.

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She liked to learn -

When she first arrived in England, she couldn’t speak English, but she quickly picked it up. She was also highly interested in natural sciences and would regularly visit Kew Gardens to learn about botany.

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She valued women's education -

The Queen ensured that all of her daughters had the best education available to them at the time.

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A charitable queen -

She also founded multiple orphanages and became a patron for various hospitals.

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She was a patron for various fields -

As well as her charity work, Charlotte was also a lover and patron of the arts. She was friends with Bach and even invited Mozart (pictured) to play at the Royal Palace when he was just eight years old.

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She loved animals -

When the Queen first arrived in England, she brought with her two Pomeranians. But lapdogs weren't her only pets. She was an avid collector of wild animals, having a zebra and an elephant on palace grounds.

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She was a notorious snuff user -

Throughout her life, Charlotte was an avid user of snuff, a type of smokeless tobacco. She owned over 90 snuff boxes and had a collection of over 350 different bottles of snuff from the Royal Manufactory of Seville.

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Queen Charlotte was friends with Marie Antoinette -

Although they never met in person, Queen Charlotte and Marie Antoinette (pictured) were avid pen pals. They would regularly express their mutual love for art and music.

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She prepared lodgings for the French royal family -

When the French Revolution first broke out, Marie Antoinette shared her concerns, and Charlotte prepared lodgings for the French royal family should they need to flee. However, it was too late

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Queen Charlotte is the longest-reigning female consort -

Bested as the longest-reigning consort by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Charlotte is the second longest-reigning consort and the longest-reigning female consort in British history. She served for 57 years and 70 days.

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She introduced the Christmas tree to Britain -

In her hometown of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, it was a tradition to decorate a single yew branch. However, Charlotte took it a step further by lavishly decorating a whole tree.

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She and King George III purchased several notable royal homes -

Though St James's Palace was the official residence of the royal couple, George purchased a nearby property: Buckingham House. The couple moved there in 1762, making it the Buckingham Palace.

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Another royal home -

In 1792, Charlotte purchased Frogmore House as a country retreat for her and her unmarried daughters.

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She died before King George III -

Queen Charlotte died on November 17, 1818, at the age of 74. She was later buried at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

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The passing of King George III -

Just over a year after her death, King George III died from pneumonia on January 29, 1820, at age 81. Due to his illness, he probably wasn't aware or capable of understanding her death.

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Succession to the throne -

George was succeeded by two of his sons, George IV and William IV, who both died without legitimate children. As a result, his son Prince Edward's only legitimate child, Victoria, took the throne.

Sources: (History) (People) (The Hollywood Reporter)

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A German princess -

Charlotte was born into the royal family of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, a duchy in northern Germany.

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Marriage to King George III -

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Her education -

With a relatively low level of education, compared to many of her royal counterparts, Charlotte nonetheless studied languages, natural history, religion, and household management.

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Charlotte showed little interest in helping her husband rule -

George believed that Charlotte would be the best candidate for his wife, as she wouldn’t be interested in the affairs of the crown. This turned out to be true.

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She was only 17 years old -

Another factor as to why she was chosen was due to their closeness in age. When they married, George was 22 and Charlotte was 17.

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Married at first sight -

George and Charlotte didn’t meet before their engagement. In fact, they got married less than six hours after she arrived in England.

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It was a big family -

Together, Charlotte and George had 15 children, 13 of whom lived into adulthood.

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It was a loving marriage -

Despite the nature of their arrangement, by all accounts Charlotte and George are said to have had a loving marriage.

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The King's mental health -

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It affected the Queen -

Charlotte’s hair is said to have turned white by 1789 due to the stress of his illness.

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She stayed by his side -

But even through her husband's failing mental health, Charlotte remained at his side through thick and thin.

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She was believed to be biracial -

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Further theories about her race -

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Queen Charlotte was an incredibly smart woman -

Although her level of education was considered relatively simple for a monarch, Charlotte continued to educate herself after her marriage to George.

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She liked to learn -

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She valued women's education -

The Queen ensured that all of her daughters had the best education available to them at the time.

Getty Images

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A charitable queen -

She also founded multiple orphanages and became a patron for various hospitals.

Getty Images

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She was a patron for various fields -

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She loved animals -

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She was a notorious snuff user -

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Queen Charlotte was friends with Marie Antoinette -

Although they never met in person, Queen Charlotte and Marie Antoinette (pictured) were avid pen pals. They would regularly express their mutual love for art and music.

Getty Images

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She prepared lodgings for the French royal family -

When the French Revolution first broke out, Marie Antoinette shared her concerns, and Charlotte prepared lodgings for the French royal family should they need to flee. However, it was too late

Getty Images

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Queen Charlotte is the longest-reigning female consort -

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She introduced the Christmas tree to Britain -

In her hometown of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, it was a tradition to decorate a single yew branch. However, Charlotte took it a step further by lavishly decorating a whole tree.

Getty Images

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She and King George III purchased several notable royal homes -

Though St James's Palace was the official residence of the royal couple, George purchased a nearby property: Buckingham House. The couple moved there in 1762, making it the Buckingham Palace.

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Another royal home -

In 1792, Charlotte purchased Frogmore House as a country retreat for her and her unmarried daughters.

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She died before King George III -

Queen Charlotte died on November 17, 1818, at the age of 74. She was later buried at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

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The passing of King George III -

Just over a year after her death, King George III died from pneumonia on January 29, 1820, at age 81. Due to his illness, he probably wasn't aware or capable of understanding her death.

Getty Images

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Succession to the throne -

George was succeeded by two of his sons, George IV and William IV, who both died without legitimate children. As a result, his son Prince Edward's only legitimate child, Victoria, took the throne.

Sources: (History) (People) (The Hollywood Reporter)

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The real story of Queen Charlotte — what 'Bridgerton' got right

You'll be surprised by how many details are accurate

01/11/24 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Royals

If you're a fan of Netflix's 'Bridgerton' spin-off 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,' you've probably asked yourself just how much of the period drama is based on real life, and how much is fiction. Though the show dramatizes certain aspects of her life, it actually is loosely based on the real-life Queen Charlotte. Born on May 19, 1744, the German royal's life changed forever when she married the newly ascended King George III. And while it was for political convenience, it became one of the most successful royal marriages in British history.

So who was this queen, really? Click on to find out.