Married at First Sight: Queen Charlotte & George III Wedding

Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz came to Britain as a young girl to marry King George III.
Queen Charlotte and King George III shared nearly 60 years together. Their marriage, though arranged, grew into a deep and devoted partnership, but it eventually faced many challenges and sadness.
In 1760, when George III became king at age 22, after his grandfather, George II, died, he was 22 and single. His mother, Princess Augusta, and his advisors wanted him to get married quickly.
They urgently needed a queen to help secure the royal line. To find the right match, politicians put together a list of suitable Protestant women.
Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, known for her sweet nature and lack of political ambitions, stood out as the ideal choice. George selected her, and suddenly the young, sheltered girl was poised to become the queen of a country she had never seen, alongside a man she had never met. rincess Charlotte, just 17, from a small north German region, seemed a good match because she probably didn't know much about political games. She proved them right; shortly after getting married, George III told her to stay out of politics, and she was happy to do so.
In July 1761, King George announced his plans to marry Princess Charlotte. A team, led by Earl Harcourt, went to Germany to bring her to England. They arrived in Strelitz on August 14, and her brother, Duke Adolphus Frederick IV, signed the marriage contract the next day.
After three days of celebration, Charlotte left for Britain on August 17 with the British team. They faced three storms at sea and didn’t land in England until September 7. They went straight to London, arriving the next day at St. James’s Palace, where Charlotte and George met for the first time.
After a proxy wedding in her homeland, Charlotte arrived in England in September 1761. Crowds filled the streets to see her as she traveled to St James's Palace. Overwhelmed and nervous, Charlotte nearly fell at King George's feet when she exited her carriage, but he kindly supported her, setting a tender tone for their introduction.
That same evening, just six hours after her arrival, Charlotte and George were married in a small ceremony at St. James’s Palace, conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Secker. Only close family, the travel party from Germany, and a few guests were there. Two weeks later, they had their coronation at Westminster Abbey.
When Princess Charlotte's procession arrived at a small private gate of the Palace, she was first greeted by the Duke of York. Soon after, she found herself facing the king, surrounded by his senior officers and ladies-in-waiting. It was a nerve-wracking moment for everyone involved.
In fact, it was so overwhelming that Charlotte almost knelt in front of the old Duke of Grafton, mistaking him for someone of higher rank, until she was corrected. She then tried to kneel before the king, but he gently stopped her and instead kissed her hand. Understandably, Charlotte was visibly shaken as she met these important figures. However, when the Duchess of Hamilton, already twice married, gave her a reassuring smile, Charlotte responded with a quick wit, saying, “You may laugh; you've been married twice, but this is all new to me.”
Later that day, after meeting Princess Augusta, the Princess Dowager, Charlotte and George were married at 9 p.m. in the Chapel Royal, officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Secker.
Queen Charlotte maintained her cheerful demeanor throughout her wedding day. When instructed to kiss the peeresses, she did so willingly and with a smile. However, the sight of her ten bridesmaids in long trains seemed to overwhelm her for a moment. She exclaimed in surprise, "Mon Dieu, such a number of kisses!"
The bridesmaids included notable ladies such as Sarah Lennox, Caroline Russell, Caroline Montague, Harriet Bentinck, Anne Hamilton, E. Kerr, Elizabeth Keppel, Louisa Greville, Elizabeth Harcourt, and Susan Fox Strangways, all dressed in their finest, adding to the grandeur of the ceremony.
For her wedding attire, Charlotte chose a striking ensemble that featured 'an endless mantle' of rich violet and purple velvet, lined with luxurious ermine, draped over a gown of white satin and silver. Although this opulent mantle, intended to be held in place by a cluster of pearls, slipped down her shoulders, dragging her dress along with it, she managed to handle the mishap gracefully. Her appearance was further embellished with magnificent jewels, including a diamond tiara, a necklet, and a stomacher, valued altogether at an impressive £90,000. These jewels sparkled brilliantly, capturing the attention of all those present, including Horace Walpole, whose accounts vividly describe the scene.

[@BigLeggedEmma]

Thank you!

[@PastPeople]

You’re welcome!

[@cherylbrooks7005]

❤😊❤