Known to millions as the imperious matriarch of Bridgerton’s court, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was still a teenager when she was chosen to be the bride of King George III. Shy, innocent, and sheltered, the orphaned princess and her youthful groom carried the hopes of a nation on their shoulders. The placid and unassuming young couple symbolised a new beginning, but soon those hopes began to sour. Charlotte and George’s marriage lasted for nearly 60 years and produced more than a dozen children, but it was beset by unrest at home, war in the colonies, and the king’s encroaching madness. As the royal couple battled against their critics, their political opponents, and sometimes even their own family, Charlotte learned what it really meant to be queen. Locked in a bitter struggle with her eldest son for the king’s future and with her daughters for their freedom, the timid young girl grew into an insular and domineering woman that few dared to cross. Shouldering the burden of family disputes, ambitious courtiers, and the care of the man she adored, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz presided over one of the most tumultuous eras that the monarchy has ever seen. As tragic as it was glittering, this is the story of her extraordinary life. AUTHOR: Catherine Curzon is a historian of the 18th century. Catherine’s first play, Being Mr Wickham, premiered to sell-out audiences in 2019. An internationally acclaimed livestream in 2021 was followed by a UK tour, starring co-writer Adrian Lukis. She has spoken at venues including Kenwood House, Wellington College, the Royal Pavilion, the National Maritime Museum, and Dr Johnson’s House. Her work has been featured online by BBC News, BBC History Extra and the Daily Express, and in publications including All About History, Who Do You Think You Are?, and Jane Austen’s Regency World. Further afield, her expertise has been featured by Town & Country, Elle Australia, and Der Bund, among others. Catherine holds a Master’s degree in Film. She lives in Yorkshire atop a ludicrously steep hill with a rakish gent, a relaxed cat, and an excitable dog. She writes for Orion as Ellie Curzon.
20 b/w illustrations