Queen Charlotte

Charlotte (7 January 1796 – 6 November 1867) was the Queen of the United Kingdom from the 26th June 1830 until her death. Born the only child of George, Prince of Wales (later King George IV), and his wife, Caroline of Brunswick, Charlotte was seen her as a sign of hope and a contrast both to her unpopular father and to her grandfather, whom was deemed mad.

Charlotte's parents disliked each other from before their arranged marriage and soon separated. The Prince of Wales left most of Charlotte's care to governesses and servants, but only allowed her limited contact with Caroline, who eventually left the country. As Charlotte grew to adulthood, her father pressured her to marry William, Hereditary Prince of Orange (later King of the Netherlands). After initially accepting him, Charlotte soon broke off the intended match. This resulted in an extended contest of wills between her and her father, who finally permitted her to marry Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.

At the end of April 1817, Leopold informed the Prince Regent that Charlotte was again pregnant, and that there was every prospect of the Princess carrying the baby to term.

Charlotte's pregnancy was the subject of the most intense public interest. Betting shops quickly set up book on what sex the child would be. Economists calculated that the birth of a princess would raise the stock market by 2.5%; the birth of a prince would raise it 6%. Charlotte spent her time quietly, spending much time sitting for a portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence. She ate heavily and got little exercise; when her medical team began prenatal care in August 1817, they put her on a strict diet, hoping to reduce the size of the child at birth. The diet, and occasional bleeding, seemed to weaken Charlotte. Christian von Stockmar was amazed at a treatment he saw as outdated, and at first declined to join the medical team, believing that, as a foreigner, he would be blamed if anything went wrong. However, Leopold, a German himself, insisted that he join. Stockmar at once set about modernizing the team's approach.

Charlotte was believed to be due to deliver on 19 October, but as October ended, she had shown no signs of giving birth, and drove out as usual with Leopold on Sunday 2 November. On the evening of 3 November, her contractions began. Sir Richard encouraged her to exercise, but would not let her eat: late that evening, he sent for the officials who were to witness and attest to the royal birth. As the fourth of November became the fifth, it became clear that Charlotte might be unable to expel the child, and Croft and Charlotte's personal physician, Matthew Baillie, decided to send for obstetrician John Sims.

At nine o'clock in the evening of 5 November, Charlotte finally gave birth to a large boy. The noble observers confirmed that it was a handsome boy, resembling the Royal Family. They were assured that the mother was doing well, and took their leave. Charlotte took some nourishment after her lengthy fast and seemed to be recovering. Leopold, who had remained with his wife throughout, apparently took an opiate and collapsed into bed.

Soon after midnight, Charlotte began complaining of pains in her abdomen. Von Stockmar was called, and was alarmed to find his patient cold to the touch, breathing with difficulty, and bleeding. He placed hot compresses on her, the accepted treatment at the time for postpartum bleeding. She recovered slightly. For the next few days, Charlotte was in bed, vomiting violently and unable to see her child. Many began to fear for her life, and her uncles began to try to produce an heir to the throne; they thought Charlotte might die, and so might her son, as the infant mortality rate was low in the early 19th century.

However, after some time, Charlotte miraculously recovered. She would go on to have five more children, and her son, christened George, would grow up to be King George V of the United Kingdom.