Charlotte, Princess Royal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Charlotte |
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| Princess Royal | |||||
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Portrait by Sir William Beechey
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| Duchess, Electress, then Queen consort of Württemberg | |||||
| Tenure | 22 December 1797 – 30 October 1816 | ||||
| Coronation | 1 January 1806 | ||||
| Born | 29 September 1766 Buckingham House, London |
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| Died | 5 October 1828 (aged 62) Schloss Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Kingdom of Württemberg |
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| Burial | Schlosskirche, Ludwigsburg | ||||
| Spouse | |||||
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| House | Hanover | ||||
| Father | George III, King of the United Kingdom | ||||
| Mother | Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz | ||||
Charlotte, Princess Royal (born Charlotte Augusta Matilda; 29 September 1766 – 5 October 1828), was the Queen of Württemberg. She became queen when she married King Frederick I. Charlotte was the oldest daughter and fourth child of King George III and his wife, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
Contents
Early Life of Princess Charlotte
Princess Charlotte was born on 29 September 1766. Her birthplace was Buckingham House in London. Her parents were King George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She was christened on 27 October 1766. This ceremony took place at St James's Palace.
On 22 June 1789, Charlotte was officially named Princess Royal. Her parents were very happy to have a daughter after three sons. Like her brothers and sisters, Charlotte received an inoculation in December 1768. This was a way to protect her from diseases.
Since she was the eldest daughter, everyone expected Charlotte to make an important marriage. Her education was very important. It started when she was only 18 months old. French was spoken in all European royal courts. So, Charlotte had a French tutor to make sure she spoke without an accent. She also learned to remember things well. She could recall details for the rest of her life.
Her childhood was not just about studying. When she was almost three, she danced in a play. She was dressed as Columbine with her seven-year-old brother, George. Charlotte did not like these public displays. She thought they made children too proud. But her parents continued to show her off.
In late 1769, Charlotte and her brother George were shown to the public. This happened at St James's Palace. Charlotte wore a Roman toga and lay on a sofa. This kind of display was common in Germany. However, people in England thought it was not proper. A crowd even drove a hearse into the Palace courtyard. After this, Charlotte was "terribly tired." Her parents wisely decided not to repeat the experience.
Charlotte was often compared to her sister, Augusta Sophia. Augusta was only two years younger. Some people thought Augusta was prettier. But Charlotte was seen as a very sensible and pleasant child. Charlotte also had a slight stammer. Her attendant, Mary Dacres, helped her manage it.
In 1770, her sister Elizabeth was born. This completed the group of the three oldest princesses. Charlotte was lucky to have parents who spent time with their many children. They took her education seriously. She spent most of her childhood at Buckingham House, Kew Palace, and Windsor Castle.
Marriage to Frederick I
On 18 May 1797, Princess Charlotte got married. The wedding took place at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace in London. She married Frederick, Hereditary Prince of Württemberg. He was the oldest son of Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg.
Frederick became the Duke of Württemberg on 22 December 1797. He had two sons and two daughters from his first marriage. Charlotte and Frederick had one child together. It was a stillborn daughter born on 27 April 1798.
Becoming Queen of Württemberg
In 1800, the French army took over Württemberg. Duke Frederick and Duchess Charlotte had to leave and went to Vienna. Later, Duke Frederick made a deal with France. He gave up some land and received other land in return. On 25 February 1803, he became the Elector of Württemberg.
Frederick helped France with a large army. In return, Napoleon recognized him as King of Württemberg. This happened on 26 December 1805. Electress Charlotte became queen when her husband officially became king. This was on 1 January 1806. She was crowned on the same day in Stuttgart, Germany.
Württemberg left the Holy Roman Empire. It joined Napoleon's Confederation of the Rhine. This alliance with France made King Frederick an enemy of his father-in-law, King George III. King George III was angry. He refused to call his daughter "Queen of Württemberg" in his letters.
In 1813, King Frederick changed sides. He joined the Allies against Napoleon. His connection to the Prince Regent (who later became King George IV) helped him. After Napoleon was defeated, King Frederick attended the Congress of Vienna. His title as king was confirmed there. He passed away in October 1816.
Life as Dowager Queen
After her husband died, Charlotte became the Dowager Queen of Württemberg. She continued to live at the Ludwigsburg Palace, near Stuttgart. Her younger siblings often visited her. These included the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Cambridge, the Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg, and Princess Augusta Sophia. She was also a godmother to her niece, Princess Victoria of Kent. This princess later became Queen Victoria.
In 1827, Charlotte returned to Britain. This was her first visit since her wedding in 1797. She was 60 years old and very heavy. She wanted to have surgery for dropsy (a condition causing swelling) in England. She traveled by steamboat, which was a new invention. On 31 May, she boarded the steamboat Friedrich Wilhelm.
After her journey, Charlotte arrived in Greenwich, England, on 5 June. In London, she stayed at St James's Palace. Many family members visited her there. The King made a final goodbye visit on 6 October. On 9 October, Charlotte left England. A storm forced her ship back to Harwich. She eventually arrived back at Ludwigsburg Palace on 24 October.
Charlotte died at Ludwigsburg Palace on 6 October 1828. She is buried in the royal vault there.
Honours and Arms
Honours
- Royal Family Order of King George IV
- Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Catherine, 5 April 1797
Arms
As a daughter of the ruler, Charlotte used the royal arms. These arms had a special design to show her place in the family.
See also
In Spanish: Carlota del Reino Unido para niños
