Queen Charlotte: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
Queen Charlotte was born 19 May 1744 in Mirow, as Sophia Charlotta of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. | Queen Charlotte was born 19 May 1744 in Mirow, as Sophia Charlotta of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. | ||
Her father was Carl Ludwig Friedrich – a duke who was not reigning at that time. Thus, she grew up in rather modest circumstances, far away from court. Nevertheless, she was well educated, receiving not only lessons in history but also in botany and mineralogy | Her father was Carl Ludwig Friedrich – a duke who was not reigning at that time. Thus, she grew up in rather modest circumstances, far away from court. Nevertheless, she was well educated, receiving not only lessons in history but also in botany and mineralogy (Marx 2). She was also very skilled in foreign languages, speaking French and Italian. Above that, following etiquette, she was also taught in dance and music. Her teachers often were famous musicians (e.g.Johann Georg Linike), which supported Charlotte’s love for music and art from an early age (Marx 3 f.). Later she was taught by Johann Christian Bach (son of Johann Sebastian Bach) (The Royal Household). | ||
Charlotte married King [[George III]] in September 1761 in London and thus was Queen of Great Britain and Queen of Ireland from this day on. As the two kingdoms united in 1801, she became Queen of the United Kingdom. Moreover, Charlotte was also the Electress of Hanover until George III became King of Hanover which made her Queen consort of Hanover. She and her husband were parents to fifteen children. It is said that | Charlotte married King [[George III]] in September 1761 in London and thus was Queen of Great Britain and Queen of Ireland from this day on (Köhler 30). As the two kingdoms united in 1801, she became Queen of the United Kingdom. Moreover, Charlotte was also the Electress of Hanover until George III became King of Hanover which made her Queen consort of Hanover. She and her husband were parents to fifteen children. It is said that King George chose Charlotte as his wife – she was 16 at this time, he was twenty-three – for both personal and political reasons (Marx 4 f.). From a political point of view, Charlotte was a good choice because of her connection to the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and Hanover. From a personal point of view, King George considered Charlotte to be a god wife because of her character traits: she was open to convert to the Anglican church, she was not politically active, and she was well educated – especially in music and the arts which was a shared interest with King George (Marx 4 f.). | ||
Due to her good education, Charlotte quickly learned English after her wedding and thus was able to participate in court life. She enjoyed organizing concerts and dinner parties but she was also engaged in philanthropic activities: many orphanages were founded on her behalf, she also became patron of a hospital and a patron of art and music. As mentioned above, Charlotte was also very interested in botany. As an amateur botanist | Due to her good education, Charlotte quickly learned English after her wedding and thus was able to participate in court life. She enjoyed organizing concerts and dinner parties (Marx 8) but she was also engaged in philanthropic activities: many orphanages were founded on her behalf, she also became patron of a hospital and a patron of art and music The Royal Household). As mentioned above, Charlotte was also very interested in botany (Köhler 30). As an amateur botanist shehelped to expand Kew Gardens, a exotic flower (Bird of Paradise) was even named to honor her (The Royal Household). Apart from that, she often played several music instruments in her free time. | ||
During the King’s mental illness, which was constantly getting worse, the | During the King’s mental illness, which was constantly getting worse, the Queen tried to help him get better by making use of their love for music: she organized music events or private concerts (Marx 11 f.). | ||
She finally died in 1818. Her grave can be found at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor. | She finally died in 1818. Her grave can be found at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor (The Royal Household). | ||
'''Sources''' | '''Sources''' | ||
Revision as of 13:01, 16 June 2019
19 May 1744 – 17 November 1818. Wife of George III. Queen Consort of Great Britain and Ireland/United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1761–1818.
Queen Charlotte was born 19 May 1744 in Mirow, as Sophia Charlotta of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Her father was Carl Ludwig Friedrich – a duke who was not reigning at that time. Thus, she grew up in rather modest circumstances, far away from court. Nevertheless, she was well educated, receiving not only lessons in history but also in botany and mineralogy (Marx 2). She was also very skilled in foreign languages, speaking French and Italian. Above that, following etiquette, she was also taught in dance and music. Her teachers often were famous musicians (e.g.Johann Georg Linike), which supported Charlotte’s love for music and art from an early age (Marx 3 f.). Later she was taught by Johann Christian Bach (son of Johann Sebastian Bach) (The Royal Household).
Charlotte married King George III in September 1761 in London and thus was Queen of Great Britain and Queen of Ireland from this day on (Köhler 30). As the two kingdoms united in 1801, she became Queen of the United Kingdom. Moreover, Charlotte was also the Electress of Hanover until George III became King of Hanover which made her Queen consort of Hanover. She and her husband were parents to fifteen children. It is said that King George chose Charlotte as his wife – she was 16 at this time, he was twenty-three – for both personal and political reasons (Marx 4 f.). From a political point of view, Charlotte was a good choice because of her connection to the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and Hanover. From a personal point of view, King George considered Charlotte to be a god wife because of her character traits: she was open to convert to the Anglican church, she was not politically active, and she was well educated – especially in music and the arts which was a shared interest with King George (Marx 4 f.).
Due to her good education, Charlotte quickly learned English after her wedding and thus was able to participate in court life. She enjoyed organizing concerts and dinner parties (Marx 8) but she was also engaged in philanthropic activities: many orphanages were founded on her behalf, she also became patron of a hospital and a patron of art and music The Royal Household). As mentioned above, Charlotte was also very interested in botany (Köhler 30). As an amateur botanist shehelped to expand Kew Gardens, a exotic flower (Bird of Paradise) was even named to honor her (The Royal Household). Apart from that, she often played several music instruments in her free time.
During the King’s mental illness, which was constantly getting worse, the Queen tried to help him get better by making use of their love for music: she organized music events or private concerts (Marx 11 f.). She finally died in 1818. Her grave can be found at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor (The Royal Household).
Sources
Köhler, Marcus. "The German Legacy: Richmond in Braunschweig." Garden History 29.1 (2001): 29-35.
Marx, Hans Joachim. "„A love of music to distraction...“: Musik im Leben der englischen Königin Charlotte (1744-1818)." Archiv für Musikwissenschaft 71.1 (2014): 1-20.
The Royal Household. “Queen Charlotte (19 May 1744 -17 November 1818)”. Royal.uk, The Royal Household at Buckingham Palace, https://www.royal.uk/queen-charlotte. Accessed 1 June 2019.