Before Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, there was another black royal in the family. Few people knew about her. Her name was Sophia Charlotte. She was the wife of King George III. Her royal name is Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She is also known as Queen Charlotte of Great Britain and Ireland. It is said that she is the first British black queen. Her ancestry descent from Margarita De Castro, a 15th-century Portuguese noblewoman.
Queen Charlotte was the daughter of Duke Charles Louis Fredrick and Princess Elisabeth Albertine. She was the youngest daughter. She married King George the III at the advice of his mother. She was chosen because of her up bring and inexperience. She would not be interested in politic or party intrigue. They married in 1761. This marriage united two kingdoms.
Queen Charlotte was a patron of the arts and amateur botanist. She was taught by Johann Christian Bach. Mozart played for her when he was eight years old. He dedicated his Opus 3 to the queen. She also helped establish the Kew Garden. Queen Charlotte brought the Strelitzia reginae, a flower from South Africa, to the garden.
Queen Charlotte was the first queen to live in Buckingham Palace. Buckingham House, what it was called at that time, was purchased by King George III as a retreat house. They had fourteen of their fifteen children was born there. It also is known as the “Queen House.”
King George III was assumed to have a mental problem. It was assumed that he was bipolar. Queen Charlotte didn’t know about her husband first episode. It was a temporary setback. In the Regency Bill of 178, if the king is declared permanently insane, the king, his court, and minor children are under the guardianship of the queen. She remained her husband guardian until her death in 1818.
Charlotte, North Carolina is named in honor of Queen Charlotte. There is a Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island. There are several other places named in her honor.
It is said that Queen Charlotte had strong African features because of her ancestors. Artist was told to make her look white. The reason why is because of the time period.
Queen Charlotte passed away on November 17, 1818, at Dutch house, now known as Kew Palace. She was in the presence of her son, Prince Regent. at the time of her death. She was buried at St. George Chapel, Windsor. She is the grandmother of Queen Victoria and the third great grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II.
I hope that you enjoyed the history lesson. -Mommy Diva
Mommy Diva 