Andrea/Cara here. I recently saw a fascinating museum exhibit entitled “Enlightened Princesses: Caroline, Augusta, Charlotte and the Shaping of the Modern World.” These three German princesses—Caroline of Ansbach, Augusta of Saxe-Gotha and Charlotte of Mecklenberg-Strelitz—all married into the British royal family and each had a profound influence on their adopted country. Needless to say, I came away enlightened!
According to Amy Meyers, Director of the Yale Center for British Art and the organizing curator, “The princesses had sweeping intellectual, social, cultural, and political interests, which helped to shape the courts in which they lived, and encouraged the era’s greatest philosophers, scientists, artists, and architects to develop important ideas that would guide ensuing generations. The palaces and royal gardens they inhabited served as incubators for enlightened conversation and experimentation, and functioned as platforms to project the latest cultural developments to an international audience.”
Of the three, I was most familiar with Caroline of Ansbach. Orphaned at age eleven, she went live with Friederich III, Elector of Brandenberg, and the first King of Prussia. A highly intelligent and attractive woman, she thrived in Freiderich’s open-minded court, where she became friends with Gottfried Leibnitz, one of the leading intellectual giants of the 18th century. She then married George Augustus of Hanover, and when his father acceded to the British throne as George I on the death of Queen Anne, the young couple followed him to London as the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Caroline was very involved in politics—she and her husband were often at loggerheads with George I, and for a time they were under house arrest and forbidden to see their children, Later, she served as Regent several times during her husband’s reign George II, when he made prolonged visits to Germany. But it was as a leader in shaping the culture of her court and the country for which she has earned high accolades from historians. Lucy Wortley called her “the cleverest queen consort ever to sit on the throne of England.”
It was Caroline who compiled an extensive library at St. James’s Palace, and she surrounded herself with artists, musicians, intellectuals and men of science, encouraging a lively exchange of ideas and creativity with her patronage. A musician in her own right, she was very interested in the discipline, and George Frideric Handel was a great favorite. He composed a number of works for the royal family—one of his coronation anthems, created for the coronation of George II, has been played at every British coronation since.
Science was also of interest. Caroline had a large orrery, a mechanical device for tracking the position of the planets, at Kensington Palace. And in the field of medicine, she was instrumental in popularizing the vaccination process for smallpox in England, having contracted the disease herself as a young woman.
Augusta of Saxe-Gotha married Caroline’s eldest son, Frederick. She never became queen, as her husband died at a young age. But as the Princess of Wales, and mother of the future George III, she too had a profound influence of the social and cultural life of England. Her greatest interest was in botany, and as the dowager Princess of Wales, she greatly expanded Kew Gardens, using specimens brought back from the far-flung British colonies. She worked with the noted architect, Sir William Chambers to design several grand building for the gardens. The Chinese 
pagoda, built in 1761, still stand there today.
Like her mother-in-law Caroline and daughter-in-law Charlotte (the personal relationships with both of them with strained) Augusta was very interested in current theories on raising children, and was very active overseeing the education of future king. Other areas of social welfare drew her patronage, most notably the Foundling Hospital, which cared for London’s orphaned and abandoned children.
Charlotte of Mecklenberg-Strelitz was also a serious amateur botanist, and continued the work of expanding Kew Gardens. (The South African Bird of Paradise flower was named Strelitzia reginae in her honor.) She and King George III were also ardent lovers of music. Johann Christian Bach, the son of the legendary J. S. Bach, was her music master, and the young Wolfgang Mozart performed for the royal couple during his tour of the Britain.
Charlotte was also a generous patron to craftsmen, silversmiths, and artists. In addition she founded hospitals and orphanages. She also believed in the education of women, and saw to that her daughters received a rigorous program of instruction.
The exhibit was designed to highlight the fact that though history often overlooks their contributions to shaping the intellectual, artistic and political climate of their times, the princesses were in fact very influential, and helped nurture the ideals of the Enlightenment.
So, do you have a favorite princess in history? I have to say, I think the current Princess Kate of Great Britain is a wonderful credit to the monarchy, and to the spirit of these past princesses.
To me, a princess was always just something from a fairy tale until princess Diana came along. I just couldn’t help but love her despite (or perhaps because of) all the drama surrounding her. Despite her youth, she managed to raise to fine boys. And princess Kate is the epitome of grace and elegance.
What a great post! This is what I love about this blog. So many interesting subjects. I’ll be on a fishing expedition to learn more about these three princesses. I really didn’t know much about them. It will be a fun project. Thanks Andrea/Cara.
To me, a princess was always just something from a fairy tale until princess Diana came along. I just couldn’t help but love her despite (or perhaps because of) all the drama surrounding her. Despite her youth, she managed to raise to fine boys. And princess Kate is the epitome of grace and elegance.
What a great post! This is what I love about this blog. So many interesting subjects. I’ll be on a fishing expedition to learn more about these three princesses. I really didn’t know much about them. It will be a fun project. Thanks Andrea/Cara.
To me, a princess was always just something from a fairy tale until princess Diana came along. I just couldn’t help but love her despite (or perhaps because of) all the drama surrounding her. Despite her youth, she managed to raise to fine boys. And princess Kate is the epitome of grace and elegance.
What a great post! This is what I love about this blog. So many interesting subjects. I’ll be on a fishing expedition to learn more about these three princesses. I really didn’t know much about them. It will be a fun project. Thanks Andrea/Cara.
To me, a princess was always just something from a fairy tale until princess Diana came along. I just couldn’t help but love her despite (or perhaps because of) all the drama surrounding her. Despite her youth, she managed to raise to fine boys. And princess Kate is the epitome of grace and elegance.
What a great post! This is what I love about this blog. So many interesting subjects. I’ll be on a fishing expedition to learn more about these three princesses. I really didn’t know much about them. It will be a fun project. Thanks Andrea/Cara.
To me, a princess was always just something from a fairy tale until princess Diana came along. I just couldn’t help but love her despite (or perhaps because of) all the drama surrounding her. Despite her youth, she managed to raise to fine boys. And princess Kate is the epitome of grace and elegance.
What a great post! This is what I love about this blog. So many interesting subjects. I’ll be on a fishing expedition to learn more about these three princesses. I really didn’t know much about them. It will be a fun project. Thanks Andrea/Cara.
So glad you enjoyed the post, Mary! That’s what’s so endlessly fascinating about history—there are so many stories of extraordinary individuals who created extraordinary things, and we never really know about their accomplishments until we stumble across some exhibit or manuscript. Really fun!
I totally agree with you that despite all the drama, Diana turned the modern role of princess into so much more than a figurehead And she grounded her sons in the idea of using their “platform” to be a positive force for good.
So glad you enjoyed the post, Mary! That’s what’s so endlessly fascinating about history—there are so many stories of extraordinary individuals who created extraordinary things, and we never really know about their accomplishments until we stumble across some exhibit or manuscript. Really fun!
I totally agree with you that despite all the drama, Diana turned the modern role of princess into so much more than a figurehead And she grounded her sons in the idea of using their “platform” to be a positive force for good.
So glad you enjoyed the post, Mary! That’s what’s so endlessly fascinating about history—there are so many stories of extraordinary individuals who created extraordinary things, and we never really know about their accomplishments until we stumble across some exhibit or manuscript. Really fun!
I totally agree with you that despite all the drama, Diana turned the modern role of princess into so much more than a figurehead And she grounded her sons in the idea of using their “platform” to be a positive force for good.
So glad you enjoyed the post, Mary! That’s what’s so endlessly fascinating about history—there are so many stories of extraordinary individuals who created extraordinary things, and we never really know about their accomplishments until we stumble across some exhibit or manuscript. Really fun!
I totally agree with you that despite all the drama, Diana turned the modern role of princess into so much more than a figurehead And she grounded her sons in the idea of using their “platform” to be a positive force for good.
So glad you enjoyed the post, Mary! That’s what’s so endlessly fascinating about history—there are so many stories of extraordinary individuals who created extraordinary things, and we never really know about their accomplishments until we stumble across some exhibit or manuscript. Really fun!
I totally agree with you that despite all the drama, Diana turned the modern role of princess into so much more than a figurehead And she grounded her sons in the idea of using their “platform” to be a positive force for good.
I am a British Historian and I did not know much about these ladies! How very cool to see true life heroins in the aristocracy and royalty. Thank you for posting this; I think I am going to share this with my class today as we lecture on the enlightenment era! How fitting!!!
I am a British Historian and I did not know much about these ladies! How very cool to see true life heroins in the aristocracy and royalty. Thank you for posting this; I think I am going to share this with my class today as we lecture on the enlightenment era! How fitting!!!
I am a British Historian and I did not know much about these ladies! How very cool to see true life heroins in the aristocracy and royalty. Thank you for posting this; I think I am going to share this with my class today as we lecture on the enlightenment era! How fitting!!!
I am a British Historian and I did not know much about these ladies! How very cool to see true life heroins in the aristocracy and royalty. Thank you for posting this; I think I am going to share this with my class today as we lecture on the enlightenment era! How fitting!!!
I am a British Historian and I did not know much about these ladies! How very cool to see true life heroins in the aristocracy and royalty. Thank you for posting this; I think I am going to share this with my class today as we lecture on the enlightenment era! How fitting!!!
I’m not much of a monarchist, but the one I like, or more accurately feel most sorry for, is Sophia Dorothea, the wife of George I and mother of George II. Compared to George I, Henry VIII was a model husband!
I’m not much of a monarchist, but the one I like, or more accurately feel most sorry for, is Sophia Dorothea, the wife of George I and mother of George II. Compared to George I, Henry VIII was a model husband!
I’m not much of a monarchist, but the one I like, or more accurately feel most sorry for, is Sophia Dorothea, the wife of George I and mother of George II. Compared to George I, Henry VIII was a model husband!
I’m not much of a monarchist, but the one I like, or more accurately feel most sorry for, is Sophia Dorothea, the wife of George I and mother of George II. Compared to George I, Henry VIII was a model husband!
I’m not much of a monarchist, but the one I like, or more accurately feel most sorry for, is Sophia Dorothea, the wife of George I and mother of George II. Compared to George I, Henry VIII was a model husband!
So glad you enjoyed it! Just FYI, the exhibit will be coming to Kensington Palace in London this summer—and I highly recommend it! Really fascinating material there.
So glad you enjoyed it! Just FYI, the exhibit will be coming to Kensington Palace in London this summer—and I highly recommend it! Really fascinating material there.
So glad you enjoyed it! Just FYI, the exhibit will be coming to Kensington Palace in London this summer—and I highly recommend it! Really fascinating material there.
So glad you enjoyed it! Just FYI, the exhibit will be coming to Kensington Palace in London this summer—and I highly recommend it! Really fascinating material there.
So glad you enjoyed it! Just FYI, the exhibit will be coming to Kensington Palace in London this summer—and I highly recommend it! Really fascinating material there.
Yes, it’s not always easy to be a princess . . .to say the least!
Yes, it’s not always easy to be a princess . . .to say the least!
Yes, it’s not always easy to be a princess . . .to say the least!
Yes, it’s not always easy to be a princess . . .to say the least!
Yes, it’s not always easy to be a princess . . .to say the least!
I don’t appear to think much about real-llife royalty. (I was still playing with paper dolls when George VI came to the throne, so my sister and I each had a paper-doll set starring Elizabeth and her sister Margaret as young girls. I think that was the closest I came to noticing royalty in those days
Also, while in elementary school, I heard that Augusta told her son to “be a King!” and that was why he was “unkind” to us (the colonials). What silly stuff we tell our children. I am glad to hear that she supported the arts and science. However, I am about to beginn reading the Malloran series. If I remember correctly, Augusta doesn’t seem to do well with politics at the time George III is a young king.
I don’t appear to think much about real-llife royalty. (I was still playing with paper dolls when George VI came to the throne, so my sister and I each had a paper-doll set starring Elizabeth and her sister Margaret as young girls. I think that was the closest I came to noticing royalty in those days
Also, while in elementary school, I heard that Augusta told her son to “be a King!” and that was why he was “unkind” to us (the colonials). What silly stuff we tell our children. I am glad to hear that she supported the arts and science. However, I am about to beginn reading the Malloran series. If I remember correctly, Augusta doesn’t seem to do well with politics at the time George III is a young king.
I don’t appear to think much about real-llife royalty. (I was still playing with paper dolls when George VI came to the throne, so my sister and I each had a paper-doll set starring Elizabeth and her sister Margaret as young girls. I think that was the closest I came to noticing royalty in those days
Also, while in elementary school, I heard that Augusta told her son to “be a King!” and that was why he was “unkind” to us (the colonials). What silly stuff we tell our children. I am glad to hear that she supported the arts and science. However, I am about to beginn reading the Malloran series. If I remember correctly, Augusta doesn’t seem to do well with politics at the time George III is a young king.
I don’t appear to think much about real-llife royalty. (I was still playing with paper dolls when George VI came to the throne, so my sister and I each had a paper-doll set starring Elizabeth and her sister Margaret as young girls. I think that was the closest I came to noticing royalty in those days
Also, while in elementary school, I heard that Augusta told her son to “be a King!” and that was why he was “unkind” to us (the colonials). What silly stuff we tell our children. I am glad to hear that she supported the arts and science. However, I am about to beginn reading the Malloran series. If I remember correctly, Augusta doesn’t seem to do well with politics at the time George III is a young king.
I don’t appear to think much about real-llife royalty. (I was still playing with paper dolls when George VI came to the throne, so my sister and I each had a paper-doll set starring Elizabeth and her sister Margaret as young girls. I think that was the closest I came to noticing royalty in those days
Also, while in elementary school, I heard that Augusta told her son to “be a King!” and that was why he was “unkind” to us (the colonials). What silly stuff we tell our children. I am glad to hear that she supported the arts and science. However, I am about to beginn reading the Malloran series. If I remember correctly, Augusta doesn’t seem to do well with politics at the time George III is a young king.
I particularly enjoyed this post. Thank you. Even though I missed most of the information on Charlotte as the text didn’t wrap around the last picture on my laptop. Nevertheless I’ve always been very sorry for the women who married the Georges. They almost always had poor relationships with their in-laws, often with their husbands, and frequently with their children. Plus they suffered the ridicule of the ton and the resentment of much of the English public. Apart from that it was easy. And still they do often made very successful lives for themselves. Amazing women.
I particularly enjoyed this post. Thank you. Even though I missed most of the information on Charlotte as the text didn’t wrap around the last picture on my laptop. Nevertheless I’ve always been very sorry for the women who married the Georges. They almost always had poor relationships with their in-laws, often with their husbands, and frequently with their children. Plus they suffered the ridicule of the ton and the resentment of much of the English public. Apart from that it was easy. And still they do often made very successful lives for themselves. Amazing women.
I particularly enjoyed this post. Thank you. Even though I missed most of the information on Charlotte as the text didn’t wrap around the last picture on my laptop. Nevertheless I’ve always been very sorry for the women who married the Georges. They almost always had poor relationships with their in-laws, often with their husbands, and frequently with their children. Plus they suffered the ridicule of the ton and the resentment of much of the English public. Apart from that it was easy. And still they do often made very successful lives for themselves. Amazing women.
I particularly enjoyed this post. Thank you. Even though I missed most of the information on Charlotte as the text didn’t wrap around the last picture on my laptop. Nevertheless I’ve always been very sorry for the women who married the Georges. They almost always had poor relationships with their in-laws, often with their husbands, and frequently with their children. Plus they suffered the ridicule of the ton and the resentment of much of the English public. Apart from that it was easy. And still they do often made very successful lives for themselves. Amazing women.
I particularly enjoyed this post. Thank you. Even though I missed most of the information on Charlotte as the text didn’t wrap around the last picture on my laptop. Nevertheless I’ve always been very sorry for the women who married the Georges. They almost always had poor relationships with their in-laws, often with their husbands, and frequently with their children. Plus they suffered the ridicule of the ton and the resentment of much of the English public. Apart from that it was easy. And still they do often made very successful lives for themselves. Amazing women.
Yes, thirty years in prison is not exactly easy, even if as a princess you get to have a castle (isolated) for your prison. At least George wasn’t beating her up there.
Yes, thirty years in prison is not exactly easy, even if as a princess you get to have a castle (isolated) for your prison. At least George wasn’t beating her up there.
Yes, thirty years in prison is not exactly easy, even if as a princess you get to have a castle (isolated) for your prison. At least George wasn’t beating her up there.
Yes, thirty years in prison is not exactly easy, even if as a princess you get to have a castle (isolated) for your prison. At least George wasn’t beating her up there.
Yes, thirty years in prison is not exactly easy, even if as a princess you get to have a castle (isolated) for your prison. At least George wasn’t beating her up there.
Sue, my sense is you are right—the medddling in politics didn’t always go well for the princesses. But it seems their cultural contributions have have gotten short shrift, so it’s good to see women getting some credit for the good they’ve done in history.
Sue, my sense is you are right—the medddling in politics didn’t always go well for the princesses. But it seems their cultural contributions have have gotten short shrift, so it’s good to see women getting some credit for the good they’ve done in history.
Sue, my sense is you are right—the medddling in politics didn’t always go well for the princesses. But it seems their cultural contributions have have gotten short shrift, so it’s good to see women getting some credit for the good they’ve done in history.
Sue, my sense is you are right—the medddling in politics didn’t always go well for the princesses. But it seems their cultural contributions have have gotten short shrift, so it’s good to see women getting some credit for the good they’ve done in history.
Sue, my sense is you are right—the medddling in politics didn’t always go well for the princesses. But it seems their cultural contributions have have gotten short shrift, so it’s good to see women getting some credit for the good they’ve done in history.
Mary, so sorry Typepad isn’t behaving for you. It looks fine on my browser. The princesses really didn’t have it easy—they came to England barely speaking the language, and yes, had to contend with the royal family. No easy thing! zthey did seem to have good relationships with their husbands, though children did prove fraught with tensions. (Poor Charlotte didn’t have much luck with her sons!) Still, they managed to develop serious interests, and promote the arts, science and social welfare. So they really do deserve credit!
Mary, so sorry Typepad isn’t behaving for you. It looks fine on my browser. The princesses really didn’t have it easy—they came to England barely speaking the language, and yes, had to contend with the royal family. No easy thing! zthey did seem to have good relationships with their husbands, though children did prove fraught with tensions. (Poor Charlotte didn’t have much luck with her sons!) Still, they managed to develop serious interests, and promote the arts, science and social welfare. So they really do deserve credit!
Mary, so sorry Typepad isn’t behaving for you. It looks fine on my browser. The princesses really didn’t have it easy—they came to England barely speaking the language, and yes, had to contend with the royal family. No easy thing! zthey did seem to have good relationships with their husbands, though children did prove fraught with tensions. (Poor Charlotte didn’t have much luck with her sons!) Still, they managed to develop serious interests, and promote the arts, science and social welfare. So they really do deserve credit!
Mary, so sorry Typepad isn’t behaving for you. It looks fine on my browser. The princesses really didn’t have it easy—they came to England barely speaking the language, and yes, had to contend with the royal family. No easy thing! zthey did seem to have good relationships with their husbands, though children did prove fraught with tensions. (Poor Charlotte didn’t have much luck with her sons!) Still, they managed to develop serious interests, and promote the arts, science and social welfare. So they really do deserve credit!
Mary, so sorry Typepad isn’t behaving for you. It looks fine on my browser. The princesses really didn’t have it easy—they came to England barely speaking the language, and yes, had to contend with the royal family. No easy thing! zthey did seem to have good relationships with their husbands, though children did prove fraught with tensions. (Poor Charlotte didn’t have much luck with her sons!) Still, they managed to develop serious interests, and promote the arts, science and social welfare. So they really do deserve credit!
Sigh. You’re right. Not an easy life at all.
Sigh. You’re right. Not an easy life at all.
Sigh. You’re right. Not an easy life at all.
Sigh. You’re right. Not an easy life at all.
Sigh. You’re right. Not an easy life at all.
Yes, Sue, that’s what I remember from the Malloren series, too. If I remember correctly, the books implied that Augusta was heavily influenced by Bute, and not for the better. Of course, that might be just the Mallorens’ viewpoint.
Yes, Sue, that’s what I remember from the Malloren series, too. If I remember correctly, the books implied that Augusta was heavily influenced by Bute, and not for the better. Of course, that might be just the Mallorens’ viewpoint.
Yes, Sue, that’s what I remember from the Malloren series, too. If I remember correctly, the books implied that Augusta was heavily influenced by Bute, and not for the better. Of course, that might be just the Mallorens’ viewpoint.
Yes, Sue, that’s what I remember from the Malloren series, too. If I remember correctly, the books implied that Augusta was heavily influenced by Bute, and not for the better. Of course, that might be just the Mallorens’ viewpoint.
Yes, Sue, that’s what I remember from the Malloren series, too. If I remember correctly, the books implied that Augusta was heavily influenced by Bute, and not for the better. Of course, that might be just the Mallorens’ viewpoint.
Mary, it happens on my browser too, but if you use your mouse to highlight the text it stands out from the photos and you can read it just fine.
Mary, it happens on my browser too, but if you use your mouse to highlight the text it stands out from the photos and you can read it just fine.
Mary, it happens on my browser too, but if you use your mouse to highlight the text it stands out from the photos and you can read it just fine.
Mary, it happens on my browser too, but if you use your mouse to highlight the text it stands out from the photos and you can read it just fine.
Mary, it happens on my browser too, but if you use your mouse to highlight the text it stands out from the photos and you can read it just fine.
I was never into princesses, even as a child, so this is all new to me. All 3 of these ladies sound so interesting, but it seems like Caroline blazed the trail for the other two. I would love to sit down for dinner with any one of them.
I was never into princesses, even as a child, so this is all new to me. All 3 of these ladies sound so interesting, but it seems like Caroline blazed the trail for the other two. I would love to sit down for dinner with any one of them.
I was never into princesses, even as a child, so this is all new to me. All 3 of these ladies sound so interesting, but it seems like Caroline blazed the trail for the other two. I would love to sit down for dinner with any one of them.
I was never into princesses, even as a child, so this is all new to me. All 3 of these ladies sound so interesting, but it seems like Caroline blazed the trail for the other two. I would love to sit down for dinner with any one of them.
I was never into princesses, even as a child, so this is all new to me. All 3 of these ladies sound so interesting, but it seems like Caroline blazed the trail for the other two. I would love to sit down for dinner with any one of them.
Karin and Mary, I’ll ask Melissa, our blog whip to ask Typepad about the problem. So sorry!
Karin and Mary, I’ll ask Melissa, our blog whip to ask Typepad about the problem. So sorry!
Karin and Mary, I’ll ask Melissa, our blog whip to ask Typepad about the problem. So sorry!
Karin and Mary, I’ll ask Melissa, our blog whip to ask Typepad about the problem. So sorry!
Karin and Mary, I’ll ask Melissa, our blog whip to ask Typepad about the problem. So sorry!
Karin, Croline really does sound like a fascinating person, who surrounded herself with intellectuals, artists, musicians, scientists. Her court would have been a fabulous plave to visir—and yes, sit down for dinner!
Karin, Croline really does sound like a fascinating person, who surrounded herself with intellectuals, artists, musicians, scientists. Her court would have been a fabulous plave to visir—and yes, sit down for dinner!
Karin, Croline really does sound like a fascinating person, who surrounded herself with intellectuals, artists, musicians, scientists. Her court would have been a fabulous plave to visir—and yes, sit down for dinner!
Karin, Croline really does sound like a fascinating person, who surrounded herself with intellectuals, artists, musicians, scientists. Her court would have been a fabulous plave to visir—and yes, sit down for dinner!
Karin, Croline really does sound like a fascinating person, who surrounded herself with intellectuals, artists, musicians, scientists. Her court would have been a fabulous plave to visir—and yes, sit down for dinner!