Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the wife of King George III and the queen consort of Great Britain and Ireland from 1761 to 1818. She was also the electress consort of Hanover from 1761 to 1814 and the queen consort of Hanover from 1814 to 1818. She was born in a small German duchy and married George III in an arranged marriage without meeting him beforehand. She quickly adapted to her new role and learned English, as well as French, Italian, Latin, and music. She was a devoted wife and mother who bore 15 children, 13 of whom survived to adulthood. She was also a patron of the arts and sciences, especially botany. She founded the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and supported many artists, musicians, writers, and educators. She was interested in the welfare of her subjects and donated to various charities, especially those related to women and children. She also spoke out against the slave trade and supported the abolitionist movement. She suffered from poor health in her later years and witnessed the mental decline of her husband, who became permanently insane in 1811. She died in 1818 at the age of 74 after a long illness.¹