In the first two seasons of Bridgerton, we don’t know much about Queen Charlotte and her husband’s marriage. We only know that King George suffers from an illness. So, what happened to King George in the Bridgerton prequel, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story?
In Bridgerton Season 1, King George asks Queen Charlotte to bring their daughter Emily to him. Queen Charlotte explains that Amelia was ill several years ago.
George says that Amelia came to his room a fortnight ago, but Charlotte responds she is gone. King George then has a tantrum and accuses Charlotte of killing his child. He is then subdued by servants.
In Bridgerton Season 2, there’s a scene where King George believed that he was getting married when it was actually Edwina Sharma who was about to wed.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story finally answers burning questions regarding King George III, like what happened to him and what was his illness.
So, what happened to King George III in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story? This article explains what happened to King George III in the Bridgerton prequel, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Read at your own risk!
King George’s Illness in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Explained
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story shows King George’s struggles with his illness. He stays sane by being “Farmer George”, but when his illness kicks in, he starts talking to the stars. In one episode of the prequel, King George strips himself naked and deems Charlotte as “Venus”.
But Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story doesn’t give us the exact diagnosis of King George’s illness. We only know that he’s a “madman.”
However, various doctors suggest that he suffers from an "inflamed cerebellum" and "excess of ill humor in the legs." Dr. Monro, the physician who consistently treats him, suggests that he suffers from a “disorganization of the nerves.”
Dr. Monro then subjects the King to extreme forms of treatment such as drowning him in an ice bath and strapping him to a chair. Charlotte puts an end to his treatment by dismissing Dr. Monro.
RELATED: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Recap and Ending Explained
Did King George III Love Queen Charlotte?
Yes, King George III was “desperately in love” with Queen Charlotte. She’s the reason why he strived to get better.
King George and Queen Charlotte first meet in the garden when Charlotte was trying to go over the wall to escape. He was very charming, and Charlotte ultimately decides to marry him.
However, after their wedding, George gifts her with her own house and says they would live separately. Charlotte spends the night alone, and the marriage isn’t consummated.
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King George III didn’t keep his distance from Queen Charlotte because he disliked her. He was madly in love with her, but he was keeping a secret: his illness.
He even shares with his right-hand man Reynolds that he finds Charlotte beautiful and smart. But he just couldn’t be with her because of his illness. All of King George’s hidden struggles come to light in Episode 4.
George ultimately tells Charlotte he loves her after the latter says that she would willingly live separately with him if George tells her that he doesn’t love her.
George goes on to say that he loved her desperately from the moment he saw her trying to go over the wall. He then admits that he wanted to tell Charlotte about his illness, but it has been his secret his entire life and his burden to bear.
Charlotte then says that they can do it together, as they are a team. After failing to address Parliament, George hides under his bed and Charlotte joins him.
George suggests that Charlotte should leave him because she has “half a husband” and that he cannot give her the future she deserves. But Charlotte responds “If what we have is half, then we shall make it the very best half.”
RELATED: Do Brimsley and Reynolds End Up Together in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story?
Queen Charlotte Ending Explained: Did King George III Die?
King George III doesn’t die at the end of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. In the first episode of the prequel, in present-day Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte and Brimsley walk to the front doors of Buckingham House to meet a doctor. Queen Charlotte asks the doctor if the King is dead, and he responds that he isn’t.
In Episode 5, Queen Charlotte wakes up and asks Brimsley if King George is dead. Brimsley responds that he has not heard anything, so he imagines that King George remains “quite alive.”
Queen Charlotte asks Brimsley to find out because she wants to be sure. Brimsley leaves, and we no longer get an update at that point.
These circumstances seem to point out that King George III dies. But death is not what happened to King George III in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
In the last episode of the series, Queen Charlotte visits her husband after finding out that one of their children is expecting an heir. Even though they ended up living separately (most likely to accommodate King George’s illness), their love for each other didn’t fade away.
Queen Charlotte and King George go under the bed to “hide from the heavens”, just like they did before.
Queen Charlotte shares that they have succeeded and that “his” line will live on. George corrects Charlotte, telling her that it’s “our” line.
We then see versions of both young and older Queen Charlotte and King George. They thank each other, hold hands, and share a kiss.
George then says “You did not go over the wall,” and Charlotte responds “No, George. I did not go over the wall.”
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Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is now streaming on Netflix.
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