"Princess Sophie Charlotte" {May 19,1744 November 17,1818)

She was the eighth child of the Prince of Mirow,Germany,Charles Louis Frederick,and his wife,Elisabeth Albertina of Saxe-Hidburghausen.In 1752,when she was eight years old,Sophie daddy died.as princess of

Mecklenburg-Strelitz,Sophie,was descended directly from an African branch of the Portuguese Royal House,Margarita de Castro y Sousa.
Six difference lines can be traced from Princess Sophie Charlotte back to Margarita de Castro y Sousa.She married George III of England on September 8,1761,at the Chapel Royal in St.Jame's Palace,London,at the age of 17 years of age becoming the Queen of England and Ireland.Their were conditions in the contract for marriage,the young princess,join the Anglican church and be married according to Anglican rites,and never ever involved herself in politics' although the Queen had an interest in what was happening in the world,especially the war in America,she fulfilled 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 obvious or well publicized.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 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 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.Allan'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 Allan,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 informal family scenes.
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 extremely generous to Johann's wife after his death.Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,
at eight dedicated his Opus 3 piece to the Queen at her request.Also an amateur botanist,Queen Charlotte helped established 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 to England.It was said to be decorated
with,sweetmeats,almonds,and raisins in papers,fruit & 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.
She died 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 her letters to her closet confidant her older brother,Charles II,grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Stelitz.On May 23,1773 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.