Caroline of Ansbach

Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (Wilhelmina Charlotte Caroline; 1 March 1683 – 20 November 1737, commonly referred to as Caroline of Ansbach, is the queen consort of King George II of Great Britain.

Her father, John Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, is the ruler of a small German state, the Principality of Ansbach, and she belongs to a branch of the House of Hohenzollern.

Caroline is orphaned at a young age and moves to the enlightened court of her guardian, Sophia Charlotte of Hanover, consort of Frederick I of Prussia.

At the Prussian court, her previously limited education is widened, and she adopts the liberal outlook possessed by her guardian.

They become good friends, and Sophia Charlotte's views influence Caroline all her life.

As a young woman, Caroline is much sought-after as a bride.

After rejecting the suit of the nominal King of Spain, Archduke Charles of Austria, she marries George Augustus, the third-in-line to the British throne and heir apparent to the Electorate of Hanover.

They have eight children, seven of whom grow to adulthood.

Caroline moves permanently to Britain in 1714 when her husband becomes Prince of Wales.

As Princess of Wales, she joins her husband in rallying political opposition to his father King George I.

In 1717, her husband is expelled from court after a family row.

Caroline comes to be associated with Robert Walpole, an opposition politician who is a former government minister.

Walpole rejoins the government in 1720, and Caroline's husband and King George I reconcile publicly, on Walpole's advice.

Over the next few years, Walpole rises to become the leading minister.

Caroline succeeds as queen and electress consort in 1727, when her husband becomes King George II.

Her eldest son, Frederick, becomes Prince of Wales.

He is a focus for the opposition, like his father before him, and Caroline's relationship with him is strained.

As princess and as queen, Caroline is known for her political influence, which she exercises through and for Walpole.

Her tenure includes four regencies during her husband's stays in Hanover, and she is credited with strengthening the Hanoverian dynasty's place in Britain during a period of political instability.

Caroline is widely mourned following her death in 1737, not only by the public but also by the King, who refuses to remarry.

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