The untold story of the REAL Queen Charlotte – the 18th Century royal who impressed Netflix’s heroine

Glamorous, highly effective and a complete gossip. The character of Queen Charlotte gained her manner into viewers’ hearts within the first two sequence of Netflix‘s hit sequence Bridgerton.

The present is about many years earlier than the occasions of Bridgerton and follows the formidable Queen Charlotte, performed by India Amarteifio, as she experiences her first throes of ardour in Regency Britain. 

However what viewers of the present may not know is that the character of Queen Charlotte is predicated on an actual 18th Century royal.

Born in Might 1744, Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was born to a German Duke and a Princess.

Queen Charlotte, performed by India Amarteifio, pictured in character as Queen Charlotte within the new Netflix sequence

In line with the Royal Household’s web site, Princess Charlotte was chosen to be George III’s spouse when he turned King in 1760.

As such, the 17-year-old German royal needed to transfer away from the whole lot she knew and begin a brand new life in England with a person she hardly knew.

When she arrived at her husband’s court docket, historians have famous how the brand new Queen was seen as an outsider – a theme which is explored within the new Netflix sequence. 

However regardless of this, Charlotte and George went on to have a exceptionally joyful marriage.

The couple have been the primary royals to stay in Buckingham Palace in London – which was known as Queen’s Home on the time. 

In recent times, the Royal Assortment Belief revealed love letters Charlotte wrote to George  when he was away on royal engagements.

The 250-year-old correspondence learn: ‘You should have the profit by Your voyages to place Spirit in each Physique, to be extra identified by the World, and if Attainable extra beloved by the Individuals generally. 

‘That have to be the case, however not equal to the love of her who subscribes herself Your very affectionate Pal and Spouse Charlotte.’

Coronation portrait of Queen Charlotte from 1761. Since her dying in 1818, historians have debated Charlotte’s ethnicity – as work and descriptions of her instructed that she could have been biracial

Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte within the authentic Netflix sequence. The actress has performed Charlotte for the previous two seasons

Though the couple fell head over heels in love, their marriage wasn’t fully smooth-sailing – and the Queen needed to take care of George’s psychological sickness – which is documented within the Bridgerton sequence, the place the King turns into a digital recluse. 

King George III suffered his first bout of psychological sickness in 1765 – simply 5 years into the couple’s marriage. 

Historians consider his ‘everlasting insanity’ began round 1810 and he’s reported to have develop into violent throughout his suits.

Though Queen Charlotte remained his devoted companion, she is alleged to have by no means visited her husband alone as his psychological sickness worsened.

Within the ultimate 10 years of his reign, the couple’s son George IV  acted because the Prince Regent.

In line with the Royal Household’s web site, some historians consider that George III’s sickness was brought on by a hereditary bodily dysfunction known as porphyria – which might trigger hallucinations and confusion.

Over the course of their 57 12 months marriage, Queen Charlotte gave start to fifteen kids over 22 years.

Since her dying in 1818, historians have debated Charlotte’s ethnicity – as work and descriptions of her instructed that she could have been biracial.

Though it’s inconceivable to know the late Queen’s full heritage, the present’s creator Shonda Rhimes instructed The Guardian: ‘We took the concept Queen Charlotte was from Black Portuguese royalty and ran with it.’

On the present, the character of Queen Charlotte is all the time dolled as much as the nines in glamorous clothes and spectacular jewelry.

In line with the Royal Assortment Belief, the actual Charlotte was simply as keen on the finder issues in life.

They defined: ‘Queen Charlotte’s tastes have been somewhat much less plain than her husband’s and she or he had some very luxurious rooms within the new Queen’s Home [Buckingham Palace].’ 

Throughout their reign, Charlotte acquired an ‘in depth’ assortment of diamonds and pearls.