QUEEN CITY ROOTS, ROYALLY ROOTED IN DIVERSITY: England’s first Black Queen, Sophie Charlotte
- Bridgett Nesbit
- May 11, 2018
- 4 min read
By Bridgett Nesbit
abridgennews2@.com
CHARLOTTE Talk about reigning in royalty, this black female did just that, princess Sophie Charlotte was born in 1744 and became the first Black Queen of England.
And the current princess in wait, Megan, has a true kinship to traits of the current Queen.
Because Queen Charlotte was the great great-great grandmother of the present Queen Elizabeth II.
The current Queen, who still lives in the expanded Buckingham House, now Buckingham Palace.
Which means the shock of media is muted by facts that can't be disputed.
There's nothing wrong with liking a black girl in Royal courts because it's in their roots.
Much like Obama, the current Queen is a mulatto and so is her seed.
HISTORY OF HERTIAGE: Bloodline shows royal knowledge always included this black girl.
The eighth child of the Prince of Mirow, Germany, Charles Louis Frederick, and his wife, Elisabeth Albertina of Saxe-Hildburghausen.
When she was eight years old, in 1752, Sophie Charlotte's father died.
As princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Sophie Charlotte was descended directly from an African branch of the Portuguese Royal House, Margarita de Castro y Sousa.
Although the Queen had an interest in what was happening in the world, especially the war in America, she fulfilled her marital agreement. The Royal couple had fifteen children, thirteen of whom survived to adulthood.
Their fourth eldest son was Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent, later fathered Queen Victoria.
Queen Charlotte made many contributions to Britain as it is today, though the evidence is not obvious or well publicized.
UNKNOWN FACTS: Slavery existing did shackle Queens throne
Her African bloodline in the British royal family is not common knowledge.
Portraits of the Queen had been reduced to fiction of the Black Magi, until two art historians suggested that the definite African features of the paintings derived from actual subjects, not the minds of painters.
In Queen Charlotte’s era slavery was prevalent and the anti-slavery campaign was growing. Portrait painters of the royal family were expected to play down or soften Queen Charlotte's African features.
Painters such as Sir Thomas Lawrence, who painted, Queen Charlotte in the autumn of 1789 had their paintings rejected by the royal couple who were not happy with the representations of the likeness of the Queen.
These portraits are amongst those that are available to view now, which could be seen as continuing the political interests of those that disapprove of a multi-racial royal family for Britain.
Sir Allan Ramsey produced the most African representations of the Queen and was responsible for the majority of the paintings of the Queen.
Ramsey’s inclination to paint truer versions of the Queen could be seen to have come from being ‘an anti-slavery intellectual of his day.
The Coronation painting by Ramsey, of the Queen was sent out to the colonies/commonwealth and played a subtle political role in the anti-slavery movement.
Johann Zoffany also frequently painted the Royal family in informal family scenes.
TAKE ME TO THE QUEEN: A known intellect, Charlotte shows character with culture and convictions
Queen Charlotte was a learned character, her letters indicate that she was well read and had interests in the fine arts.
The Queen is known to have supported and been taught music by Johann Christian Bach. She was extremely generous to Bach’s wife after Bach’s death.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, at aged eight dedicated his Opus 3 piece to the Queen at her request. Also an amateur botanist, Queen Charlotte helped to establish Kew Gardens bringing amongst others the Strelitzia Reginae, a flowering plant from South Africa.
The Queen who had the first one in her house in 1800 introduced the Christmas tree to England.
It was said to be decorated with, ‘sweetmeats, almonds and raisins in papers, fruit and toys. Also the Queen Charlotte Maternity hospital was established in London.
Set up as a charitable institution, it is the oldest maternity care institution in England.
Queen Charlotte died on November 17, 1818 at Dutch House in Surrey, now Kew Palace, in the presence of her eldest son, the Prince Regent. She is buried at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
The only private writings that have survived are Queen Charlotte's 444 letters to her closest confidant her older brother, Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
On 23 May 1773 in a letter, the Queen felt she was in a position of privilege yet a task.
Her Christian faith was a protection and a method of endurance, as she quotes from the Bible and recognizes her role as a royal of God beyond her royal role on earth.
An exhibition took place in 2004, at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace displaying Charlotte and George’s collections and tastes in the arts.
Queen Charlotte was the great great-great grandmother of the present Queen Elizabeth II who still lives in the expanded Buckingham House, now Buckingham Palace.
Kew gardens still flourishes and is always being expanded, also the Queen Charlotte maternity hospital and many other places still carry her name in honor globally such as Charlotte town, Canada and Fort Charlotte, St Vincent, West Indies.
CURRENT TIMES ENSURE CULTURAL LOVE STORY CONTINUES
Much like King Solomon, Abraham, Moses and Joseph Prince Harry has made it plain that he likes women with roots in African culture.
It makes sense, since the royal family is very aware of their roots and that a black Queen currently sits on the throne.
The question is will history embrace her mulatto mix in the wake of the wedding plans or will the world continue to be shocked in the taste of powerful men.
Facts from Wikipedia
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