Real-Life Story Behind Queen Charlotte is More Tragic Than You Thought

The highly acclaimed Bridgerton spinoff, Queen Charlotte, has undoubtedly piqued public interest in Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife of King George III and Queen of England from 1761 to 1818.

However, it's no secret that Shonda Rhimes' portrayal of Charlotte is somewhat romanticized and dramatized, diverging drastically from the real historical figure. Many details have been altered to make her story suitable for the screen and align with the original series's romantic genre. Nonetheless, actual history is often as dramatic as fiction, if not more so.

Here are five facts that make the real Queen Charlotte's story even more tragic than her Bridgerton counterpart's.

No English Initially

As a German princess, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz didn't speak any English when she was sent to England to marry the young king. Fortunately, George spoke German, enabling them to communicate. Eventually, Charlotte learned the language of her new home, but according to numerous historical records, she never lost her German accent.

Arranged Marriage

Rhimes' Charlotte, portrayed by India Amarteifio, is depicted as headstrong, rebellious, and bold. She is forced into marriage by her brother but is prepared to run away if her fiancé turns out to be a 'troll.' Interestingly, George presents her with such an opportunity when he meets her in the garden.

In contrast, the real Charlotte's situation was significantly different. She was married to the king within hours of arriving in England and never had a chance to opt out. Frankly, a woman then wouldn't even dare to dream of it.

Unaware of George's Illness

The entire drama of the Bridgerton love story hinges on George's mental illness. However, in real life, Charlotte remained oblivious to it for decades after their wedding.

While some might argue this ignorance made her life easier, the fact that the Queen was kept in the dark for years about her husband's condition by everyone at court sounds like a terrible case of gaslighting.

Never a Sole Sovereign

In Bridgerton, Charlotte rules England as she pleases, with her decisions going unquestioned. In reality, however, her eldest son, the Prince Regent, assumed the throne immediately after his father's illness was declared permanent in 1811. Charlotte assumed the role of First Lady, but the English public's affection for her waned, leading to protests against her, causing the Queen immense distress.

Unaware of Grandchild

As depicted in the miniseries, Charlotte did indeed have 15 children. There was also a significant lack of legitimate heirs following the death of Princess Charlotte of Wales. The real-life Charlotte mourned her granddaughter's death deeply.

Adding to the tragedy, she never knew of another child destined to become Queen Victoria. Her son's wife got pregnant shortly before Charlotte died in 1818, meaning it's likely that the real Queen died oblivious to the fact that her dynasty's future was secure.