Dearest gentle reader.
This is the story of Queen Charlotte from Bridgerton.
It is not a history lesson.
It is fiction inspired by fact.
All liberties taken by the author are quite intentional.
Enjoy.
Move it along now!
You give the appearance of a statue.
Statues are works of art.
Art is beautiful.
Art can be beautiful to gaze upon. You are ridiculous to the eye.
- Is there a point?
You have not moved an inch in six hours.
I am wearing Lyonnais silk,
encrusted with Indian sapphires,
working with overlay of 200-year-old lace.
Apparently too much movement can cause the sapphires to shred the lace.
If that were not enough,
the gown sits atop a bespoke underpinning made of whalebone.
Whalebone?
Yes. Whalebone, Brother.
The bones of whales. Whales died, so I could look like this.
All the finest corsets are whalebone. You'd know that if you knew anything.
If you ever paid attention you would also know that
the problem with whalebone is that it is rather delicate and also very, very sharp.
And, of course, I'm in the height of fashion, so this corset is quite snug.
So I give the appearance of a statue,
ridiculous to the eye, but that is because I cannot move.
And because I must arrive on display, I am forced into a ludicrous gown
so stylish that if I move too much, I might be sliced and stabbed to death
by my undergarments.
Oh, how joyful it is to be a lady.
You are upset.
'Tis a viable option I have considered.
Moving. Choosing to be killed by my undergarments.
- Charlotte. - We have what? An hour to go?
I believe if I'm diligent with my movements,
I could most certainly bleed to my death before we reach London.
Like I said, you are upset.
Emotional.
- I understand-- -Do you understand? Truly?
This I would love to hear because I'm not upset, nor am I emotional.
I am angry, and I cannot breathe.
- And both are thanks to you, Brother. - Charlotte.
You were chosen.
This is a great honor.
Oh, how difficult was it to be chosen?
Someone who can make lots of babies. Someone who can read.
Someone with all the social graces, with a royal bloodline.
That is all they required. It is not an honor.
You could've told them to choose someone else.
Someone stupid enough to want it.
They did not want someone stupid. They wanted you.
Adolphus, think! Why me?
He could have anyone! Anyone!
And yet they came hunting all the way across the continent for me.
- There is a reason for that. - You are special.
Special.
I am a stranger to them.
They are strangers to us. You cannot think me this ignorant.
There is reason they wanted me, a stranger.
- And it cannot be a good reason.
I know it cannot be a good reason
because you have not looked me in the eye since you told me.
Just...
This is a good thing.
You shall be happy.
Turn the carriage around. I am not doing this.
I signed the betrothal contract. You are.
- No. - Yes.
Brother, turn the carriage around, or I will bounce.
I will bounce, and I will impale myself on this ridiculous corset and bleed to death.
Charlotte!
I know I should have taken a firmer hand with you when Mama and Papa died.
I allowed you to read too much,
and I indulged your every whim and frivolity,
so I take full responsibility for the fact that you are now exceedingly headstrong
and mistakenly think you can make decisions.
You cannot. I am in charge.
- This is happening. - I don't see why you--
Because... they are the British Empire.
And we are a tiny province in Germany.
We had no choice.
I had no choice.
There is no good reason.
In fact, the reason might be terrible.
I know that no one who looks like you or me
has ever married one of these people ever,
but I cannot question
because I cannot make an enemy of the most powerful nation on Earth.
It is done. So, shut up,
do your duty to our country, and be happy.
Liebchen.
I am sorry,
but there are worse fates than marrying the King of England.
Sit back.
You are endangering my gown.
I need to look perfect when I arrive, do I not?
Well.
Your Majesty.
I am sorry to disturb you at this hour with such news.
- Shut up, Doctor, and talk. Is he dead? - He?
The King.
- Is he dead? - Oh, no.
No, ma'am. Your husband is quite hearty.
Long live the King.
Have you no sense?
It is treasonous to interrupt my beauty sleep.
- You're lucky my face is a rare jewel. - Your Majesty.
If I could still have people beheaded, you would be in the queue.
Your Majesty.
Doctor, if the King is not dead...
Who is?
Dearest gentle reader.
This coldest time of year
has become that much colder
with the sad news of the death of the princess royal.
The granddaughter of our dear King George the Third
and Queen Charlotte died in childbirth, along with her baby.
Sorrows, sorrows. Prayers.
And while our hearts grieve
for the loss of the princess royal...
our heads grieve more
for the future of the monarchy itself.
For the Crown now has a crisis on its hands.
A crisis one can only imagine that Queen Charlotte must find galling
after ruling over the matchmaking efforts of the ton
and the marriage mart with such an iron fist.
This author and all of England
can only hope that Queen Charlotte finally turns her matchmaking energies
onto her own family.
After all, her majesty has 13 children,
and now, not a royal heir from any of them.
At least, not a legitimate one.
It causes one to wonder.
Is the queen's knowledge of how to make a good marriage
nothing but talk?
Please be your most agreeable.
Teeth.
Mm-hmm.
Hands.
Mm-hmm.
You have good hips.
You will make lots of babies.
That is good.
That is your job.
As many babies as possible for my son.
Yes, Your Highness.
Will I be introduced to His Majesty soon or...
Brimsley.
Take Charlotte to the seamstress, so we can have her gown fitted.
Oh, no need. I brought my wedding gown.
'Tis quite a perfect fit.
But we have provided a gown for you.
My gown was designed just for the wedding, in Paris.
The lace is handmade by nuns.
The modiste called it à la mode.
Our gown is traditional. Simple.
It will be better.
Better?
I have not seen this other wedding dress you speak of,
but a traditional English gown
will not carry all of the fuss and the frills
that the European gown you currently have on does, for instance.
The traditional gown will be more
in our fashion... for our family.
Oh.
Yes, of course.
Hmm.
Well done.
And I shall see you at the ceremony.
No--
- Your Highness. - Walk with me. I have questions.
- That is not how it's done, Your Highness. - What do you mean?
You walk there, and I walk back here, Your Highness.
You cannot walk with me?
I'm always with you, Your Highness, five paces behind.
- Five paces behind? - Five paces behind.
- Always? - Always, Your Highness.
You are always there, behind me, just... all the time?
- Whenever you need me, Your Highness. - What is your name?
Brimsley, Your Highness.
Brimsley. Tell me about the King.
He is the King, Your Highness.
Yes.
- And? - He is ruler of Great Britain and Ireland.
- And the colonies, Your Highness. - Yes.
He has been Monarch since October with the death of his grandfather.
Brimsley, you've told me he is the king, he is the ruler, and he is the monarch.
- Those are all the same things. - They are all facts, Your Highness.
She is very brown.
I did say she had Moor blood, ma'am.
- You did not say she would be that brown. - But I did say she had Moor blood.
Very brown.
Thoughts?
It is a problem. People will talk.
People will talk. It is a problem.
- We have already made the trade deals. - Can they be canceled?
We cannot cancel the royal wedding on the day.
You may need to. It is a problem.
We are the Palace.
A problem is only a problem if the Palace says it is a problem.
That is a fact. Is it not?
It is.
And the King is the sovereign head of the Church of England
and ruler of this great land.
Therefore, nothing he does would ever be a problem for the Palace.
Would it, Lord Bute?
It would not.
So... this must be as the Palace wished it to be.
Must it not, Lord Bute?
- Yes, it must. - Good.
Then, the King's choice has been most intentional.
Hm.
To make that clear...
we shall expand the guest list for the wedding.
And add to her court.
- Are you saying-- - The King is saying.
I am only his mother. I say nothing.
The King wishes to expand the guest list for the wedding
and add to her court.
Of course, ma'am. It is only...
The King realizes that the wedding is in six hours?
Well, who does not want to attend a royal wedding?
That... was a good ride.
You may nap here, wife.
And then I have a surprise.
Oh.
Yes.
Of course, thank you.
- I have your bath waiting, ma'am. - You gave me no warning.
- I had no warning. - We always have warning.
Not this time.
I had no warning because the butler gave me no warning.
This was... spontaneous.
Spontaneous?
Is it not enough that I must endure that,
and now I must endure that without warning?
At any time!
He said he had a surprise. Is this to happen twice in one day?
I believe the surprise is why he was excited.
The butler says he received a letter
from the palace.
The palace.
The palace?
That is the surprise.
You have been invited to the royal wedding.
Coral. Have you gone mad?
It is true. An invitation has arrived for you both.
I've already called for the modiste. She's on her way over.
She cannot make a new gown before tonight, but--
No, you are mistaken. Our side and their side do not mix. Ever.
I am certain!
The ladies' maid at the Bassets said they received an invitation.
But the Dowager Princess has invited our side. Well, your side.
Why?
I know not. But there is more.
You are to attend the new Queen
as part of her court.
I think you'd better show me this letter.
Now.
Is he handsome?
Is he kind? Is he funny? Is he warm? Well-read? Artistic? Athletic?
We can discuss the order of the matrimonial ceremony.
Is he ugly?
Perhaps deformed in some way because beauty is inside.
Well, it is certainly not inside, but I am a good person and shall overcome.
The Archbishop sent over some verses for Your Highness--
Is he dull? Not very smart? Mentally slow?
I can work on those.
You can tell me.
Is he cruel?
You're going to have wonderful children together, Your Highness.
You said you're going to always be with me, Brimsley.
Yes, Your Highness. You need never worry. I shall be here.
Hmm.
I need to... use the chamber pot.
Are you with me for that too?
Uh... withdraw. Her Royal Highness requires privacy.
Whoa, there!
Do not gawk like a peasant.
Behave as though you've been here before.
They have all arrived.
I shall greet them first to make clear their standing
and the king's intentions.
Yes, ma'am.
Ah...
Your father was friendly with His Late Majesty,
my son's grandfather, was he not?
I am so pleased to have you here with us today
on this family occasion, Lord Danbury.
Lord. I...
You shall be receiving the official proclamation from the King.
You are honored to be Lord and Lady Danbury now.
All the members of the ton must be titled.
The ton, your Royal Highness?
It is time we were united as a society, is it not?
Ah!
Lord and Lady Smythe-Smith.
Lord Danbury.
Imagine.
I am... [scoffs] ...imagining.
There is a problem.
- What have you done now, Brimsley? - The bride is missing.
Hello, My Lady.
Are you in need of assistance of some kind?
Uh, I am quite fine, thank you.
You can go back inside and wait with all the other gawkers.
I... will. But first, I'm curious. What are you doing?
Nothing.
You're doing something. - I am not.
You are. - I am not.
You are!
If you must know, I'm trying to ascertain
the best way to climb over the garden wall.
Climb...
Whatever for?
I think he may be a beast.
- A beast? - Or a troll.
Who are we discussing?
Oh, well, that is impertinent. None of your business.
The King.
No one will speak of him. No one. He is clearly a beast or a troll.
Understood.
You know, if I grab there... Yes! You could assist me by lifting me up.
Uh, one question.
You do not like beasts or trolls? What he looks like matters?
I do not care what he looks like.
What I do not like is not knowing. Now, here. Just take hold here.
With a lift, I... I believe I can make it over the garden wall.
You want me to lift you over the wall so you may escape?
That is what I said.
People will notice you are missing. Will they not?
I shall worry about that later. Now, if you please.
I just need a little help. Come. Make haste.
I have absolutely no intention of helping you.
I'm a lady in distress.
You refuse to help a lady in distress?
I refuse when that lady in distress is trying to go over a wall
so that she does not have to marry me.
Hello, Charlotte.
I'm George.
I am deeply s...
Your Majesty.
Not Your Majesty.
George.
I mean, yes, Your Majesty, but to you, just George.
I am...
Please accept my apology. If I had known that you were you--
You would have what? Not told me that you were trying to escape?
- Well, yes. I mean...
I do apologize, Your Majesty.
George.
Just George.
The "King" situation.
It towers over us.
Accident of birth on my part,
but I thought, maybe, perhaps as my wife,
you could ignore it, and I could be just George to you.
That was, of course, before I found out that you do not want to be married to me.
I did not say that.
- Oh, you did. - I did not.
- You did. - It is not... Mm.
I do not know you.
I do not know you either.
Except that you are... terrible at climbing a wall.
You try climbing a wall in all of these garments.
What?
You are incomparable.
No one told me you'd be this beautiful.
You may be too beautiful to marry me. People will talk...
given I'm a troll.
Your Majesty.
- George.
- What do you want to know?
What?
You do not know me. What do you want to know about me?
- That is quite, uh... - Mm-hmm.
Uh...
I do not...
Everything.
All right.
Uh, everything?
I was born prematurely, and everyone thought I was going to die, but I did not.
I am a fair fencer, an even better shot.
My favorite food is mutton. I will not eat fish. It is horrible.
I like books and art and good conversation.
- Most of all, I like science. - Science?
Chemistry, physics, and botany, especially astronomy.
The... stars in the heavens.
I'm quite the farmer.
Probably would be a farmer if I were not
already oc... occupied.
I have a scar here from... falling off my horse.
A scar here from... just being incredibly clumsy with a paring knife.
And I'm very nervous...
...about marrying a girl I'm only just meeting minutes before our wedding.
But I cannot show it and climb over a wall because
I am the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and that would...
cause a scandal. But I promise you,
I am neither a troll... nor a beast.
Just George.
Liebchen, we have been looking everywhere for you. What are you...
Your... Your Majesty.
You must be the man responsible for my possible future happiness.
Ja. Um, my apologies. Yes. No--
Well, you have arrived at the most opportune moment.
Charlotte was just deciding... whether or not she wanted to marry me.
- Oh. Uh... - Mm.
Charlotte is overjoyed to become--
No, she's still deciding.
She might go over the wall instead.
Either way, the choice is entirely up to her.
Now, I should get back because I suspect that
by now there are some very anxious guards who think I am kidnapped.
Charlotte.
I hope I see you in there.
And if so, I shall be the one standing next to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Do not tell me you are still hesitating.
Well, first...
I need to change.
The pieces fall into place.
- Uh, what? - Shh. I said she looks beautiful, husband.
Shall we?
Mm.
- Take care, Your Majesty. - Adolphus.
I shall pray that you are soon blessed with children, ma'am.
Your Majesty.
It is an honor. I'm Lady Agatha Danbury.
- I am to be on your court. - Ah.
- Then we shall be great friends. - Yes.
Be careful, ma'am.
And know that if you send for me, I shall come.
Mm-hm.
Make haste, Agatha.
Coming, my dear.
I have a surprise for you.
A surprise?
A present, really. You should need your cloak.
Congratulations. - Thank you.
What is the surprise? Where are you taking me?
You will see. Just wait.
What do you think?
It is lovely. Who lives here?
Oh, I had it redesigned just for you.
This is our house? George.
It is your house.
It is my house. What do you mean?
This is where you shall live.
I had all of your things moved here during the ceremony.
I'm not sure I understand.
If this is my house, is it not also our house?
I suppose officially, St James's Palace is our house,
but this is where you shall stay.
And you shall stay...
I have an estate in Kew.
- So, you shall live in Kew? - Yes.
- And I shall live here? - Yes.
It is our wedding night.
And it is late. And you've been traveling, and I should let you get inside.
You'll need to meet your staff. You'll... want to get some sleep.
No, George. It is our wedding night.
We are supposed...
We are married.
Are we not supposed to do what married people do?
Are you demanding I perform my marital duty to you?
I... I am not demanding. I...
I'm not even sure what marital duty is. I just know...
Do we not spend this night together?
My governess said that is what happens on our wedding night.
Fine. I shall stay.
- George. - I said I shall stay. Are you coming?
George. George.
- George, I cannot keep up. Slow down. - You wanted me in the bedroom.
- Is that not where I should be? - No.
No? Not if you're going to behave...
You are angry. What is wrong? What have I done?
Whatever it is, I am sorry.
You've done nothing to be sorry for. I just... I...
I want to go to Kew.
- So let us go to Kew. - No, I...
You do not want me to go to Kew.
This is your home.
And that is yours.
Yes.
- I see. - You do. Good.
So you are all right.
I shall speak with you later.
I'm not all right. I...
George, this is how it is to be?
This is our marriage? You there, and me here?
Yes.
Why?
I... I thought it would...
It is easier.
For whom?
What?
Easier for whom?
- You or me? - I'm not going to debate this with you.
I merely want to understand. You need to tell me--
I do not need to do anything. I decide.
I have decided. I am your king!
My mistake.
I thought you were just George.
Forgive me, Your Majesty.
Charlotte.
May I withdraw, Your Majesty,
or did you want to say anything else to me?
Ch... Charlotte, this is for the best.
Of course, Your Majesty.
Whatever you wish.
- Brimsley. - Yes, Your Majesty.
- You are here as well. - I am wherever you are, Your Majesty.
I am fine.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - Need not follow me.
- But I shall, Your Majesty. - Stop calling me Your Majesty.
You are the Queen, Your Majesty. I cannot call you anything else.
- Then stop following me. - I cannot do that.
As your Queen, I order you to stop following me.
It is my sworn duty to take care of you, Your Majesty, at all times.
I do not want you here.
I hope in time you'll become used to me, Your Majesty.
Wonderful.
We can spend the rest of our lives together.
Are they sober?
I do not know that it'd be right for me to say, Your Majesty.
It is not yet 11 in the morning.
Scandalous.
Her Majesty, Charlotte, Queen of the United Kingdom.
Hello, my children.
- Mummy, it is so early. - Mother, you cannot summon us this way.
It's not fair. I will not stand for it.
- Really. We have lives. - We have business to attend to.
By business, do you mean fornicating with your mistresses,
or do you mean producing more bastards for me to ignore?
My word. There are impressionable ladies present.
Impressionable?
Trust me, Edward. No sexual innuendo makes an impression upon your sisters.
I wish it did, that they might get ideas to marry and start fornicating.
Mother!
Perhaps, then, I might have legitimate grandbabies.
Instead, virgins to the left of me, whores to the right.
I believe I am a married woman.
Yes.
And where are your babies?
You have made zero heirs to the throne.
I am trying.
Are you? Really?
Dearest, I explained everything to you.
- I drew you pictures.
You are doing it correctly?
Making sure he's putting it in the right place?
- Mother!
The only heir to the throne is dead.
Sorrows, sorrows. Prayers.
I am stating facts.
The princesses have had no babies.
The princes have had a record number of babies.
Illegitimate whore babies.
We had one heir, one royal, and she is gone.
Sorrows. Prayers.
Children, this is a crisis.
I've heard from the Prime Minister on the topic.
Worse, Lady Whistledown is talking about it,
which means everyone will be talking about it.
Mother, I think you are being a bit zealous.
- Perhaps the grief-- - No!
It is time to find husbands.
It is time to trade in the mistresses for respectable wives.
Get started.
One of you had better produce the next ruler of the United Kingdom,
or your father's line dies with him.
Make me a royal baby.
- Mother, you can't really expect us to...
It is not a difficult task.
Your father and I made 15 royal babies all by ourselves.
I do not see why the whole lot of you cannot make just one.
I should have gone over the wall.