Some historians believe that Queen Charlotte may have been the first Black royal of England. The theory was popularized around 25 years ago when a genealogist named Mario de Valdes y Cocom traced her ancestry back to a Black branch of the Portuguese royal family. Nowadays, the theory is rejected by many experts due to a lack of evidence.
The royal family’s happiness was shattered once King George III’s health started to deteriorate. In 1788, George experienced his first bout of illness.
He suffered physical pain and mental distress. Afterward, he had recurring episodes of severe mental illness. He was moved to Kew Palace and kept isolated.
Charlotte was frustrated by the doctors, as they couldn’t seem to figure out what was wrong. In 1801 and 1804, the king’s bouts made him so violent that Charlotte had to avoid him for her own safety.
The loss of her husband and best friend caused Charlotte to descend into a deep depression. Her health was deteriorating alongside George’s.
In 1811, the king was officially declared insane and unfit to rule. Queen Charlotte took care of her husband as her own condition worsened.
She suffered from dropsy, which causes painful swelling and eventual organ failure. She died in 1818 at the age of 74, and 15 months later, the death of George III followed.
