Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte is an eccentric character in both personality and appearance. One of her most interesting features is the constant presence of Pomeranian dogs in her court, but it is an attribute that is not explained until Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. The reason is simultaneously heartwarming and tragic.
Played in Bridgerton by Golda Rosheuvel and by India Ria Amarteifio in the Bridgerton spin-off, Queen Charlotte presides over the ton with unwavering certainty, playing matchmaker for her diamond of the season — as well as Charlotte and George’s 15 children. Though a main character in Bridgerton, much of the queen’s backstory was a mystery in early Bridgerton seasons. Queen Charlotte, however, provided much-needed insight into both how the queen assumed her role and how her fascination for Pomeranians was born.
It Was A Gift From Her Husband, King George
The Pomeranian Helped Them Grow Closer
Whereas Bridgerton encounters Queen Charlotte towards the end of her reign, the spin-off series uncovers the early days of her marriage to her husband, George III — portrayed by Corey Mylchreest. Due to the severity of George’s mental illness, the couple are separated for much of their first year of marriage, causing Charlotte to become irritated with George’s avoidant behavior. Therefore, he gifted her a Pomeranian dog to apologize.
The gift, although a sweet gesture, is also a heartbreaking one as it is a reminder of the torture George endured in an effort to treat his illness. In Queen Charlotte, episode four, “Holding the King”, George stole the Pomeranian from John Monro, the physician who executed his treatment, called the “Terrific Method.” Monro used the Pomeranian as an example of an animal being forced to submit; this was the intention he had for George. Charlotte’s attachment to Pomeranians, therefore, symbolizes her attachment to George and her acceptance of his condition.
It’s The Same Reason Charlotte Doesn’t Wear Regency Era Fashion
The Outdated Fashion Helps George Recognize Her
Queen Charlotte’s choice of pet is not the only remnant of her relationship with George. Although the rest of the ton favored the modern empire silhouette of the Regency era, Queen Charlotte alone is seen to prefer the structured gowns and towering hair of the Georgian period. This immediately sets Charlotte apart from the rest of the ton whilst also having the seemingly, unintended effect of cementing her as a relic of the past. Like many women her age, Charlotte stayed in the silhouette that was the popular silhouette of her youth (via Shondaland).
However, like the Pomeranians, Queen Charlotte’s fashion is also another way she shows devotion to her husband. In Queen Charlotte, the over-the-top gown and wig combination is the popular fashion of the king and queen’s early reign. The empire silhouette seen in Bridgerton did not become popular until the late 18th century, at which point the historical King George III had already been married to Queen Charlotte for 40 years. Presumably, the shifting of popular fashions followed the same pattern in the Bridgerton universe as in the real world.
The reason that Charlotte continued to wear the outdated fashion well into the Regency era was…for George’s benefit.
This means that George would have been very familiar with Charlotte in Georgian fashion. The reason that Charlotte continued to wear the outdated fashion well into the Regency era was, therefore, for George’s benefit. In Queen Charlotte, because of his declining mental health, George was unable to rule in his own right — requiring a regent to rule in his stead — and he only recognized Charlotte when she looked the way she did when they first married. The outdated clothing, like the Pomeranian, is another symbol of her attachment and dedication to George amidst his troubles throughout Bridgerton.
