Life and Love Lessons We Gathered From “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”
By now, you’ve probably noticed social media abuzz with Netflix’s hit historical drama, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. It mainly follows the story of young Queen Charlotte (masterfully portrayed by India Ria Amarteifio) and the young King George (wonderfully played by Corey Mylchreest), and the ebbs and flows of their arranged marriage.
The plot takes place prior to the timeline of seasons one and two of Bridgerton, but we do get a glimpse of significant characters in Queen Charlotte as well, including young Lady Danbury (Arsema Thomas) and young Violet Bridgerton (Connie Jenkins-Greig).
We won’t spoil you the fun–not to mention, the emotional rollercoaster!–that we can (almost) guarantee you’ll go through as you binge-watch the series. So if you haven’t seen it yet, consider yourself warned of some major spoilers below.
Now, if you’re one of us who feel personally victimized by the gut-wrenching, soul-crushing, tear-jerking amazingness of the story and its characters, then keep reading below for some of our reflections and post-binge thoughts.
Come, dear reader, and let’s sob under the bed together.
You are a rare jewel.
Yes, you are. From the moment that just George saw Charlotte, he knew he was in love. But it wasn’t just her beauty that captivated him; it was also her wit, determination, and inner strength that sent our boy head over heels.
The thing is, Charlotte didn’t need his validation nor his confirmation. She knew who she was from the get-go—beautiful, intelligent, and strong—and she stayed true to herself throughout the course of their relationship. Sure, there were moments when she’d bow to traditions, but ultimately, our girl was a headstrong and fearless leader who was unapologetic about who she was.
You do not need to carry the burden of others.
“Sorrow, sorrows. Prayers.” is one of the most iconic lines of the series. On the surface, it may seem like a cold thing to say to someone who’s going through something, but think about it further and you might realize that it actually teaches us a lot about setting boundaries.
In a Metro UK article, Lizzie Thomson wrote about how it’s a way to cope when someone is trauma dumping. “It’s a prime example of learning how not to absorb someone else’s sadness or anxiety when they are sharing it with you,” she shared.
Listening to someone talk about a traumatic event can be hard on your emotions, especially if you don’t know how to deal with the depth and strength of their feelings. Setting boundaries allows you to put your own mental and emotional health first, and makes sure that you don’t take on too much of the other person’s problems.
Remember, setting such boundaries doesn’t mean you’re disregarding or dismissing the other person’s pain. It simply means recognizing your own limits and creating a healthier space for both parties to engage in a more balanced and supportive manner.
Use your influence to make a positive change in the world.
One of the central themes that the series explored was racism. Charlotte was selected to marry George for “The Great Experiment,” which was a shallow attempt for the monarchy and the government to unite the Ton (AKA the high society), regardless of one’s color and ethnicity.
One powerful scene was when Lady Danbury told Queen Charlotte that her palace walls were too high. This seemed to bring her back to reality and made her realize that she was the queen and that she had a duty to her people.
“You are the first of your kind. That opened doors, so we are new. Do you not see us? What you are meant to do for us? I tell you to consummate. I tell you to become with child. I tell you to endure. For a reason. You’re so preoccupied with whether a man likes you. You’re not some simpering girl. You are our queen. Your focus should be your country. Your people. Our side. Why do you not understand that you hold our fates in your hands? Your palace walls are too high, Your Majesty.”
Ultimately, Queen Charlotte and King George showed up to Lord and Lady Danbury’s ball, which signified a beautiful message of unity to everyone who attended.
You’re worthy of someone who will stand with you between the heavens and the earth.
The biggest conflict that the series showed us was George’s struggle with his madness and how Charlotte was often pushed away. In an ideal world, had the two only communicated from the very beginning, all of the screaming and fighting probably wouldn’t have happened.
However, our main takeaway from this is that it’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay to let people in. It’s okay to let them love you when you’re fighting with your own demons. If you’re with the right people, they will gladly stand with you and “hide from the heavens” with you.
That being said…
“Love is determination. Love is a choice one makes.”
Any married couple says that marriage is not a walk in the park. Queen Charlotte said it best when she told one of her sons that love is being determined and that it’s a choice.
Choosing love means committing to building and nurturing a relationship, whether it’s a romantic partnership, friendship, or familial bond. It involves investing time, effort, and energy to cultivate trust, communication, and mutual respect. It also means actively choosing to forgive, to be patient, and to work through conflicts or differences.
Passion may fade over time, but the choice to love remains. It requires lasting commitment, dedication, and the willingness to continuously choose your partner, even in the face of adversity.
You know what, Besties, reflecting on these life and love lessons make us want to rewatch the series for the nth time! In our hearts and minds, just George and Charlotte’s line will forever live on. BRB, Netflix is calling us!
