Queen Charlotte: Bridgerton's Jacqueline Avant dedication explained
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Having soaked in the first episode of Queen Charlotte we can all agree, in hindsight, that the young royal's story now seems the most natural extension of the Bridgiverse.
The unpicking of Queen Charlotte and King George's relationship right down to the bare bones of their early courting days couldn't be more Bridgerton.
Yet, hard as it is to imagine, this rare jewel could have been overlooked had it not been for Jacquline Avant, to whom the first episode is dedicated.
But who is Jacqueline Avant and why was she commemorated at the end of 'Queen to Be'? Here's what you need to know.
Who is Jacqueline Avant?
Jacqueline Avant was a philanthropist and community activist. Before her death, she was dedicated to improving the lives of the underprivileged.
Over the years, her charitable work included organising fundraising benefits for childcare services as the former president of Neighbours of Watts. She was also a board member for UCLA's International Student Center. Prior to that, Jacqueline worked as a model and primary school teacher.
In 1967, Jacqueline married Clarence Avant (a music executive and film producer also known as "The Black Godfather").
On December 1, 2021, Jacqueline was tragically shot and killed by an intruder who broke into her Beverly Hills-adjacent home. Clarence – who was present at the time of the attack – held his wife of 54 years in his arms until officers arrived at the scene.
Unfortunately, the emergency services were unable to save her life and Jacqueline died on her way to the hospital. She was 81 years old.
Following her death, Jacqueline's family released a statement which read: "Jacqueline was an amazing woman, wife, mother and philanthropist and a 55-year resident of Beverly Hills who has made an immeasurable positive impact on the arts community.
"She will be missed by her family, friends and all of the people she has helped throughout her amazing life."
Her killer, Aariel Maynor, pleaded guilty to murder and has been sentenced to life in state prison, with a minimum sentence of 150 years.
How is Jacqueline Avant connected to Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story?
Jacqueline was also the mother-in-law of Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.
It was her love for Queen Charlotte that inspired the Bridgerton spin-off, a love she shared with the show's creator Shonda Rhimes.
"I've always been obsessed with Queen Charlotte," Rhimes admitted in a press release. "She's a fascinating character and I've always been obsessed with Lady Danbury, and Violet, and those people don't always get to get their stories told to the fullest.
"But what really pushed it was Ted Sarandos, who called me up and said: 'My mother-in-law is obsessed with Queen Charlotte. Do you want to do a Queen Charlotte story?' And I immediately said yes. Not just because it was Ted, but because I loved the idea."
Jacqueline was also an art collector and was so taken with the historical figure that is Queen Charlotte that she even owned one of her letters.
Speaking of the show's conception, Rhimes said: "Ted called me, and my brain started humming, and the show was born. This is a show about Queen Charlotte, but it all started because of another great queen, Jacqueline Avant."
From one 'Queen to be' to another that already was, the dedication couldn't be more fitting.
All episodes of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story are now available to watch on Netflix. Bridgerton seasons 1-2 are streaming now on Netflix, and season 3 is in production.
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