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Queen Charlotteopens by telling us, It is not a history lesson.
Heres what history tells us about the points in the series where fact and fiction meet.
Her cousin was a British aristocrat, but Dido herself was not out in society.
Other known Londoners of the time included writers and abolitionistsOlaudah EquianoandOttobah Cuguano, as well as composerIgnatius Sancho.
He could marry anyone, she says!
Her brother tells her there is no good reason, although we learn its part of the Great Experiment.
What history tells us: Regarding Charlottes befuddlement, I SPUTTERED during this show revelation.
Doesnt know why??
(1) George chose Charlottefrom a list.
Was she initially his last choice on that list?
Sure, but he decided correctly in the end, and no one made him.
That was George I.
So in brief,no, marrying a German princess was not a surprise.
His relationship with Augusta is never clearly defined.
What history tells us:Georges mother Augusta, a.k.a.
Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha (Im telling you, the German connection is strong!)
Maybe he just liked power.
And maybe Augusta was fun to hang out with, who knows.
The implication is he would rather live a quiet life as a farmer instead of leading an empire.
What history tells us: George IIIdidlove farming!
(More on that in a moment.)
(Im not sure he would have taken it as one.)
I dunno about the shirtless part.
What history tells us: When Charlotte initially came to England, shebrought Pomeranians with her.
When that heir dies, Charlotte orders them to shape up, get married, and start reproducing.
Check outPrincesses: The Six Daughters of George IIIby Flora Fraser to learn more about them.
(Side note: Charlotte died in childbirth; reproductive health is important!)
Now it is thought that his symptomsmore closely alignwith bipolar I disorder.
There was asuspected episodejust five years after his coronation.
Willis, like Monro in the series, kept George from Charlotte and demanded total control of his treatment.
As for Dr. John Monro of Bethlem Hospital, that person did indeed exist!
This is a time when people werecommitted for being Methodists.
They both loved music, books, and theater, and while Charlotte loved botany, George loved astronomy.
The only thing he is said to not love about her was her addiction to snuff.
This stopped at the start of the 19th century when Georges symptoms became more permanent and acute.
Charlotte was named his guardian and remained so even during the Regency, up until her death in 1818.
George died 14 months later.
Bonus Questions
What was the background music during the royal wedding?Great question!
This music was an excellent Easter egg, and I was delighted by it.
She commissionedsix sonatasfrom him.
Did Queen Charlotte bring the Christmas tree to England?She did!
Great job on the pendulum clock, though, Huygens.
