Glamorous, powerful and a total gossip. The character of Queen Charlotte won her way into viewers’ hearts in the first two series of Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton.
The show is set decades before the events of Bridgerton and follows the formidable Queen Charlotte, played by India Amarteifio, as she experiences her first throes of passion in Regency Britain.
But what viewers of the show might not know is that the character of Queen Charlotte is based on a real 18th Century royal.
Born in May 1744, Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was born to a German Duke and a Princess.
Queen Charlotte was married to King George III for 57 years and shared 15 children with her mentally ill husband
Queen Charlotte, played by India Amarteifio, pictured in character as Queen Charlotte in the new Netflix series
According to the Royal Family’s website, Princess Charlotte was selected to be George III’s wife when he became King in 1760.
As such, the 17-year-old German royal had to move away from everything she knew and start a new life in England with a man she hardly knew.
When she arrived at her husband’s court, historians have noted how the new Queen was seen as an outsider – a theme which is explored in the new Netflix series.
But despite this, Charlotte and George went on to have a exceptionally happy marriage.
The couple were the first royals to live in Buckingham Palace in London – which was called Queen’s House at the time.
In recent years, the Royal Collection Trust published love letters Charlotte wrote to George when he was away on royal engagements.
The 250-year-old correspondence read: ‘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.’
Coronation portrait of Queen Charlotte from 1761. Since her death in 1818, historians have debated Charlotte’s ethnicity – as paintings and descriptions of her suggested that she may have been biracial
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Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte in the original Netflix series. The actress has played Charlotte for the past two seasons
Although the couple fell madly in love, their marriage wasn’t entirely smooth-sailing – and the Queen had to deal with George’s mental illness – which is documented in the Bridgerton series, where the King becomes a virtual recluse.
King George III suffered his first bout of mental illness in 1765 – just five years into the couple’s marriage.
Historians believe his ‘permanent madness’ started around 1810 and he is reported to have become violent during his fits.
Although Queen Charlotte remained his devoted companion, she is said to have never visited her husband alone as his mental illness worsened.
In the final 10 years of his reign, the couple’s son George IV acted as the Prince Regent.
According to the Royal Family’s website, some historians believe that George III’s illness was caused by a hereditary physical disorder called porphyria – which can cause hallucinations and confusion.
Over the course of their 57 year marriage, Queen Charlotte gave birth to 15 children over 22 years.
Since her death in 1818, historians have debated Charlotte’s ethnicity – as paintings and descriptions of her suggested that she may have been biracial.
Although it is impossible to know the late Queen’s full heritage, the show’s creator Shonda Rhimes told The Guardian: ‘We took the idea that Queen Charlotte was from Black Portuguese royalty and ran with it.’
On the show, the character of Queen Charlotte is always dolled up to the nines in glamorous dresses and impressive jewellery.
According to the Royal Collection Trust, the real Charlotte was just as fond of the finder things in life.
They explained: ‘Queen Charlotte’s tastes were rather less plain than her husband’s and she had some very luxurious rooms in the new Queen’s House [Buckingham Palace].’
During their reign, Charlotte acquired an ‘extensive’ collection of diamonds and pearls.
