‘Fiction inspired by fact’: How accurate is Netflix’s new show about Queen Charlotte?
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Queen Charlotte has always been a topic of conversation in Charlotte, the city named after King George III’s wife. Now, a new show centering on them is generating buzz worldwide.
The Netflix short series “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” a prequel to the popular Bridgerton period drama, gives a glimpse into the marriage and lives of King George III and Queen Charlotte while ruling over Britain.
The queen was originally brought into Netflix’s spotlight back in 2020, when “Bridgerton” first aired. But this new series, one of power, race and love, focuses on the period in which Charlotte took the throne and her journey navigating life as a new royal.
It’s explained in the very beginning of the first episode that “it is not a history lesson. It is fiction inspired by fact. All liberties taken by the author are quite intentional.”
Stephanie Myers, author of “Invisible Queen,” a novel about the history of Queen Charlotte, has been studying her for six years. She believes the show accurately portrays the couple’s lives in some ways, but there were important parts of the king and queen’s legacies that were changed or left out.
“It’s not the Charlotte that I know through history, but she’s certainly a strong, dynamic character shown in both ages so I enjoyed it,” Myers said.
(Spoiler alerts ahead.) Here’s what was correctly and incorrectly portrayed in the new series:
What “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” got right:
How old were Queen Charlotte and King George III when they got married? How many children did they have?
In the show, the queen left Germany to marry King George III at 17. They had 15 children, 13 of whom reached adulthood.
In real life, Princess Sophia Charlotte was born in Mecklenburg-Strelitz and brought up at Untere Schloss in Mirow. When King George III succeeded to the throne in 1760, he was 22 when he married the 17-year-old princess. As portrayed in the show, they had 15 children in real life, 13 of whom reached adulthood. ✅
Was Queen Charlotte Black?
In the show, Queen Charlotte, portrayed by British actors India Ria Amarteifio and Golda Rosheuvel, is described as having “Moor blood,” but the storyline doesn’t explicitly explain her ancestry.
In real life, historians suggest Queen Charlotte did have African ancestry, CharlotteFive previously reported. Some believe she was Britain’s first Black queen. ✅
Did King George III have a mental illness?
In the show, the king’s physician said he had a “disorganization of the nerves.” The short series includes several instances when King George III was not well and sought out treatment from a new physician, starting a week before his wedding.
In real life, King George III had serious bouts of mental illness and was later deemed mentally unfit to rule in the last decade of his reign. It is unclear which conditions he specifically had, but medical historians have said that his illness was likely caused by a hereditary physical disorder called porphyria, which involves the abnormal metabolism of hemoglobin. ✅
Was the queen aware of King George III’s health issues?
In the show, Queen Charlotte wasn’t aware of his condition until she was pregnant with their first child and discovered him hallucinating.
In real life, historians say Queen Charlotte did not know when King George III suffered his first “bout of mental illness” in 1765. Myers said years later, there were times when the queen would have to cover or assist him with duties when he was unable to do so. ✅
Did the king have an interest in science and farming?
In the show, the king spends a lot of time in his observatory studying astronomy and out in the fields farming.
In real life, according to the Royal Family website, King George III was the first king to study science as part of his education, and he had his own astronomical observatory, just like in the show. The series also included his popular nickname “Farmer George” for his agricultural interests. ✅
Did Queen Charlotte really discover Mozart?
In the show, it’s mentioned that the queen discovered Mozart when he’s shown playing for her court of ladies.
In real life, Myers said, the queen auditioned young talent often and mentored Mozart for years after his parents brought him to play at the palace at age 8. He also later dedicated “Opus 3” to the queen when it was published in 1765. ✅
What “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” got wrong:
Did Queen Charlotte know she was being sent to marry the king?
In the show, Charlotte is unknowingly engaged against her will to marry the king (which she is very upset about). ❌
In real life, experts say Queen Charlotte knew ahead of time and was aware that she would likely marry the king. Myers said she was selected among many young women across Europe that were being considered to be his wife, and that she was in agreement with the arranged marriage.
How did Queen Charlotte and King George III meet? What was their wedding like?
In the show, the two meet before the royal wedding when the king catches Charlotte trying to climb over a garden wall to escape. After the meeting and a few moments of chatting, they proceed with the grand, formal wedding. ❌
In real life, Myers said, their first wedding was not public, like it was portrayed in the show. Historians say they met on the day their wedding at the Chapel Royal, St. James’ Palace, which was six hours after she arrived in Britain. Their coronation took place two weeks later.
Did the king and queen live separately?
In the show, the king and queen live separately at the beginning of their marriage, which causes a rift between the two. King George III lives in Kew, and Queen Charlotte lives in Buckingham House, the home he bought her. The two eventually do live together. ❌
In real life, Myers said, the two did not live separately. According to the Royal Family website, St. James’ Palace was the official residence of the royal couple, even though the king did buy nearby Buckingham House. A few years later, they moved into the house, making it Buckingham Palace — and it came to be known as “The Queen’s House.” The king bought Kew Palace, then known as the Dutch House, as a family home.
Did the king give Queen Charlotte a Pomeranian that she described as a “deformed bunny?”
In the show, the king gives Queen Charlotte a Pomeranian that he stole from his doctor as a grand gesture. The queen did not originally like the dog, which she called a “deformed bunny.”❌
In real life, Myers said, the queen actually brought a couple of Pomeranians with her to England from Germany.
A true love story
Overall, there is one major part of the storyline Myers thinks Netflix truly paid tribute to: the king and queen’s love story.
“My research shows it was almost love at first sight … they had a great time,” Myers said. “The last segment [of the series] was beautiful and showing the love … in spite of all that they had been through.”
