Netflix's new period drama Bridgerton has sparked debate by depicting Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, as black. The casting of British actress Golda Rosheuvel in the role is based on a disputed historical theory that the 18th-century queen had African ancestry.
The theory, popularised by historian Mario de Valdes y Cocom, argues that portraits of Charlotte show 'negroid characteristics' and that she was descended from a 13th-century Portuguese king's Moorish mistress. However, other historians and royal experts dispute this, with Kate Williams noting that if Charlotte is considered black, then the entire British royal family down to Prince Harry would also be black.
Desmond Shawe-Taylor, Surveyor of the Queen's pictures, said of a portrait by Sir Allan Ramsay: 'I can't see it to be honest... it's never occurred to me that she's got African features of any kind.' He added that none of the caricatures of Charlotte held at the British Museum depict her as African.
Julia Quinn, author of the book series that inspired Bridgerton, has backed the 'colour-conscious' casting, stating that 'many historians' believe Charlotte had 'some African background'. The show is set in Regency England, when King George III was too ill to reign.
