Charlotte, Queen, consort of George III, King of Great Britain, 1744-1818

Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (19 May 1744 – 17 November 1818) was Queen of Great Britain and Queen of Ireland as the wife of King George III. Charlotte was born into the royal family of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Charlotte was a patron of the arts and an amateur botanist who helped expand Kew Gardens. She introduced the Christmas tree to Britain, after decorating one for a Christmas party for children from Windsor in 1800. She was distressed by her husband's bouts of physical and mental illness, which became permanent in later life. She maintained a close relationship with Queen Marie Antoinette of France, and the French Revolution likely enhanced the emotional strain felt by Charlotte. Her eldest son, George, was appointed as Prince Regent in 1811 due to the increasing severity of the King's illness. Charlotte died in November 1818 with her son George at her side. Charlotte's husband, who was likely unaware of her death, died a little over a year later.