Caroline of Brunswick

Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (Caroline Amelia Elizabeth; later Queen Caroline; May 17, 1768 – August 7, 1821) is the Queen consort of King George IV of the United Kingdom from 29 January 1820 until her death.

Between 1795 and 1820, she is Princess of Wales.

Her father is the ruler of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel in modern-day Germany, and her mother, Princess Augusta, is the sister of George III.

In 1794, she is engaged to George III's eldest son and heir apparent, George, Prince of Wales, although they have never met and George is already married illegally to Maria Fitzherbert.

George and Caroline marry the following year, and nine months later Caroline has a child, Princess Charlotte of Wales.

Shortly after Charlotte's birth, George and Caroline separate.

By 1806, rumors that Caroline has taken lovers and has an illegitimate child lead to an investigation into her private life.

The dignitaries who lead the investigation conclude that there is "no foundation" to the rumors, but Caroline's access to her daughter is restricted.

In 1814, Caroline leaves England and moves to Italy, where she employs Bartolomeo Pergami as a servant.

Pergami soon becomes Caroline's closest companion, and it is widely assumed that they are lovers.

In 1817, Caroline is devastated when her daughter Charlotte dies in childbirth; she hears the news from a passing courier as George had refused to write and tell her.

He is determined to divorce Caroline, and sets up a second investigation to collect evidence of her adultery.

In 1820, George becomes King of the United Kingdom and Hanover, and Caroline returns to Britain to assert her position as Queen.

She becomes the figurehead of a popular reform movement that opposes the unpopular George.

On the basis of the evidence collected against her, George attempts to divorce her by introducing the Pains and Penalties Bill to Parliament, but George and the bill are so unpopular, and Caroline so popular with the masses, that it is withdrawn by the government.

The following year, in July 1821, Caroline falls ill after she is barred from the coronation on the orders of her husband.

She dies three weeks later, and her body is buried in her native Brunswick.

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