Queen Charlotte: Why King George Became King So Young
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story introduces a young version of King George III. Here’s why he became King of Britain at such a young age.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story depicts the young version of King George III, causing some to wonder why he became king at such a tender age. Queen Charlotte tells the story of one of Bridgerton’s most notable characters, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife of King George III of England and the longest reigning Queen Consort in British history. Queen Charlotte reigned as Queen Consort for more than 57 years during a period of political unrest that included both the French and American revolutions.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is a prequel to Bridgerton that tells the story of Queen Charlotte’s rise to prominence and her marriage to the chronically ill King George III, who lived with physical and mental illnesses for much of his life. Queen Charlotte bounces around the Bridgerton timeline, jumping from her marriage to George III in 1761 to the twilight of her reign in 1817 and back again. Queen Charlotte married George III about a year after he became King in 1760.
Young King George III Succeeded His Grandfather On The Throne Due To His Father’s Death
King George III became King of Great Britain and Ireland in 1760 after the death of his grandfather, King George II, because his father, Frederick, Prince of Wales, died of a lung injury when George III was only 13. This made George III the apparent heir to his grandfather at the young age of 13. George II died 9 years later, beginning George III’s reign. He went on to become the longest reigning male monarch in British history, ruling from 1760 until his death in 1820.
George III was mentally ill, however, especially in the latter part of his life, which forced his eldest son with Queen Charlotte, George IV, to become Prince Regent in 1811. Even so, King George III was King of Britain for some of the most tumultuous years in the history of the British Empire. George III was King during the end of the Seven Years’ War, the War for American Independence, the French Revolution, and a number of other notable conflicts and momentous events.
How Old King George III Is In Queen Charlotte (& Bridgerton)
Queen Charlotte is said to be 17 years old in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, the same age she was when she married George III in real life, which would make George III about 23 years old in Queen Charlotte. As far as ages go, Queen Charlotte and Bridgerton seem to stay fairly close to the real historical timeline. Bridgerton season 1 is set in 1813, which would make George III about 75 years old at that time. This was an exceptionally old age at the time, especially considering the health issues George III battled during his lifetime. Nevertheless, he lived for 7 more years, outliving even Queen Charlotte herself.
