The True Story of Queen Charlotte From Bridgerton

Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:

—

If you’ve binged through Netflix’s period drama “Bridgerton,” you’ve probably discovered that most of the characters won’t show up on a Wikipedia page. However, the popular show centered on the who’s who of 18th-century London does feature a real-life character that’s stranger than fiction. Today on Nutty History, we’re exploring the actual Queen Charlotte, who reigned over that very society for 57 years, perhaps as England’s first Black monarch.

Before she became the queen depicted in “Bridgerton,” Queen Charlotte was Princess Charlotte, the daughter of a duke and princess in modern-day Germany. After the death of England’s King George II, his grandson, George III, took the throne, single and ready to mingle. It was imperative that the new king take a bride as soon as possible, and it’s believed Charlotte was selected for the role due to her simple country upbringing. George and his mother didn’t want a queen who would meddle in the king’s political affairs.

Before the wedding could take place, though, Charlotte had to get to England. After a tumultuous two weeks at sea, where the convoy encountered three storms, Charlotte arrived in London on the afternoon of her wedding. Six hours and hopefully a bath or two later, she was walking down the aisle and meeting her husband for the very first time. Who says marriage at first sight can’t last?

In the early days, it might have been a little awkward as Charlotte spoke no English. The king’s mother, Augusta, also held a great deal of influence over the son and hired ladies-in-waiting to spy on the new queen and report back to her. Despite this challenging situation, Queen Charlotte and King George enjoyed 25 years of domestic bliss, having a total of 15 children before George’s mental health took a turn, earning him the nickname “the Mad King.”

In “Bridgerton,” Queen Charlotte spends her time with balls, matchmaking, and society gossip. These appear to have been actual hobbies of the real Queen Charlotte, who wrote letters to her husband containing all the hot gossip of the 18th century. She also entertained herself with the drama between members of her household staff—essentially reality TV before reality TV existed.

For his wife’s birthday party in 1780, King George hosted the first debutante ball, which turned into an annual Buckingham Palace event known as Queen Charlotte’s Ball. A similar event is shown in “Bridgerton’s” pilot episode, where young women coming of age are debuted in society, and the queen selects a highly debated “diamond of the season,” as seen from her impressive wig.

Queen Charlotte mostly stayed out of politics, focusing her attention on lavish interior decorating. She moved to a new royal residence, then known as Buckingham House, refurbished Kew Gardens, and built a royal menagerie complete with kangaroos. Other real-life interests featured on the show include her love for Pomeranians and her fondness for snuff, which is dried tobacco.

As a woman of impeccable taste, Queen Charlotte mingled with some other famous figures of her era. She and King George were big fans of George Frederick Handel, who served as a state musician for previous kings. After his death, she secured the position for her friend Johann Christian Bach. In 1764, an eight-year-old boy was invited to play for the queen, where he sight-read incredibly difficult works. That boy was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who later visited the queen and his family at court, essentially meaning she listened to Mozart before he was famous.

Besides her letters to her husband, Charlotte was a pen pal of another famous queen, Marie Antoinette, though the two never met in person. They bonded over a shared love of music and the arts. Queen Charlotte even prepared emergency lodging for the French royals as her friend wrote to her about the French Revolution, but of course, Marie Antoinette did not escape, and Queen Charlotte was said to be greatly grieved by her friend’s execution.

King George III’s mental health deteriorated in 1788, which many historians believe was due to a genetic blood disorder or a psychiatric illness. With her husband incapacitated, Queen Charlotte became his guardian, although she didn’t like to be left alone with him due to his violent outbursts, as depicted in the show. Meanwhile, after much debate and controversy, George IV, her eldest son, became regent, creating a feud between the two over power and the king’s best interests. Eventually, they reconciled, and the queen continued her role as the first lady of the royals, particularly due to the tension between her son and his own wife.

After the king’s decline became more permanent, Queen Charlotte lost much of her own luster, sinking into a depression and rarely appearing in public. Not even the thrill of matchmaking was enough to bring her joy, and she died a year before her husband, holding her son’s hand.

In “Bridgerton,” the show creators reimagined 18th-century London society as a more diverse and accepting one than it was in reality. However, it might not have been as exceedingly white as previously portrayed. One inspiration for “Bridgerton’s” diversity is the long-held rumor of Queen Charlotte’s race. Some historians believe Charlotte is a descendant of a 13th-century Portuguese king and his North African mistress, making her the first Black monarch of England. While many portraits depict her as looking Caucasian, portraits were often painted to highlight attractive features of the time rather than reality. Other historians question these claims about Charlotte’s genealogy, and it may remain one of history’s many mysteries that will never be completely solved.

So how well do you think “Bridgerton” captured the real Queen Charlotte? Let us know in the comments, as well as what other real-life inspired characters you’d like to hear about next time. Thanks for watching!

—

This version removes any informal language and maintains a respectful tone throughout.