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. But 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 bowing down to the actual Queen Charlotte,
who reigned over that very society for 57 years, perhaps as England’s first Black monarch.
Before she became the boss queen depicted on 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 the second, his grandson, George the third took the throne, single and ready to mingle.
It was imperative that the new king take a bride, ASAP, and it’s believed Charlotte was selected for
the role due to her simple country upbringing. George, and his mother, didn’t want one of those
pesky queens who would try to 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. Yeah, I think I’d rather die alone. Who says marriage at first sight
can’t last? In the early days, it might have been a little awkward, as Charlotte spoke zero English.
The King’s mother, Augusta, also still 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 monster-in-law,
Queen Charlotte and King George enjoyed 25 years of domestic bliss. They had a whopping
15 children, before George’s mental health took a turn, earning him the nickname, “The Mad King.”
In Bridgerton, Queen Lottie passes 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 goss of the 18th century.
She also apparently entertained herself with the drama between members of her household staff,
basically reality TV before reality TV. For his wife’s b-day party in 1780, King George hosted the
first debutante ball, which turned into an annual Buckingham Palace bash hosted by the royals.
Called “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 selected a hotly debated
“diamond of the season.” As seen from her killer wig game, Queen Charlotte had style. Mostly cool
staying out of politics, Charlotte put her attention towards lavish interior decorating,
electing to move to a new royal residence, then known as “Buckingham House.”
She also refurbished the Kew Gardens and built a royal menagerie complete with kangaroos. Other
real life interests featured on the show? Her love for pomeranians, and her addiction to snuff. (If
you were wondering what the Queen was shown snorting in episode two, it’s dried tobacco).
As a woman of impeccable taste, Queen Charlotte rubbed elbows with some other famous celebs of
the era. Her ear for music, specifically, would put any hipster to shame. She and the hubby were
big fans of George Frideric Handel, who served as a state musician for the previous kings. After his
death, she secured the position for her pal Johann Christian Bach, who was the son of the Bach. And
in 1764, an eight-year-old boy was invited to play for the Queen, where he sight read incredibly
difficult works. That boy was Taylor Swift. Okay, no, but it was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Ever heard
of him? The Queen sang an aria with Mozart, and invited him and his family back to court
on a subsequent visit, essentially meaning she listened to Mozart before he was cool. Besides her
letters to her husband, Charlotte was a pen pal of another famous Queen, Marie Antoinette. Though
the two never met in person, what with the lack of cars and airplanes, they bonded over a shared
love of music and the arts. Queen Charlotte even readied emergency lodging for the French royals,
as her friend wrote to her of 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 the third’s mental health deteriorated in 1788, which many historians believe to be from
a genetic blood disorder, porphyria, or a psychiatric illness like bipolar disorder.
With her husband incapacitated, Queen Charlotte became his guardian, though
she didn’t like to be left alone with him due to his violent outbursts, as depicted on the show.
Meanwhile, after much debate and controversy, George the fourth, her eldest son, became Regent,
creating a feud between the two over power and the King’s best interests. Eventually,
the two reconciled, and the Queen continued her role as first lady of the royals, particularly
due to the tension between her son and his own wife. But that’s another video for another time.
After the King’s decline became more permanent, Queen Charlotte lost a lot 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 reimagine 18th century London society as a more diverse
and accepting one than it was in reality. But it might not have been as exceedingly white as
it’s been previously portrayed. One inspiration for Bridgerton’s diversity is the long held rumor
of Queen Charlotte’s race. Some historians believe Charlotte is the descendant of a 13th century
Portugese King and his North African mistress, and therefore the first Black monarch of England.
Contemporary accounts mention her stereotypically African features, and while many portraits depict
her looking awfully Caucasian, portraits were often painted to depict attractive features of
the time, rather than reality. Other historians question these claims on Charlotte’s genealogy,
and it may remain one of histories 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!