The DEATH Of Queens | Charlotte, Adelaide, Caroline Brunswick

Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III, passed away at Dutch House in Surrey (now Kew Palace) on November 17, 1818, with her eldest son, the Prince Regent, at her side. She had the longest tenure as a consort in British history, second only to Prince Philip, serving from her marriage on September 8, 1761, until her death, a span of 57 years and 70 days. She was later buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Her husband died just over a year after her, likely unaware of her passing, having suffered from severe physical and mental health issues.

The day before her death, Queen Charlotte dictated her will to Sir Herbert Taylor, the king's secretary, making him and Lord Arden her executors. Her estate, valued at less than £140,000—a considerable sum at the time—was primarily composed of her jewelry collection. She bequeathed the jewels she had received from the king to him, provided he was not in a state of insanity; otherwise, these were to become a Hanoverian heirloom. Other jewelry pieces, including those from the Nawab of Arcot, were designated for her daughters.

Upon her death, the Prince Regent claimed her jewels, which later became a point of contention after his and subsequent deaths, leading to a legal dispute over their rightful ownership that lasted until 1858, well beyond Charlotte's time.


By 1846, Adelaide moved to Cassiobury House, which she rented from Lord Essex. This period was notable for her hospitality, as she hosted Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, showing her continued involvement in royal duties despite her health. After two years, her quest for a better living situation took her to Bentley Priory in Stanmore, rented from Lord Abercorn, where she would eventually spend her final days.
As her health continued to decline, becoming semiinvalid by 1847, Adelaide was advised to spend the winter in Madeira, a place famed for its mild climate. While there, she not only sought recovery but also engaged in philanthropy. She donated money to the local poor and financed the construction of a road from Ribeiro Seco to Camara de Lobos, thus contributing to the infrastructure of the island.

Despite her failing health, Queen Adelaide made her last public appearance with a significant act of charity and faith. She laid the foundation stone for the Church of St John the Evangelist in Great Stanmore, also donating the font for the church. After her death, the east window of the church was dedicated to her memory, honoring her contributions.

Adelaide passed away on December 2, 1849, during the reign of her niece, Queen Victoria. Her death occurred naturally at Bentley Priory in Middlesex. True to her humble nature, she had previously penned down her wishes for her funeral during an illness in 1841, requesting a simple and private ceremony, free from any pomp or grand state display. She expressed a desire for peace and modesty, wishing her funeral to reflect the tranquility with which she hoped to enter the afterlife. Accordingly, she was interred quietly in the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, following her own directives for simplicity and humility. This approach to her final farewell reflected her lifelong values of humility and the importance of spiritual over worldly wealth.

After an unsuccessful attempt to attend her husband’s coronation, Caroline, Queen Consort of England, fell severely ill. On the night following the coronation, she took a large dose of milk of magnesia and laudanum, beginning a downward spiral in her health that lasted three weeks. As her condition worsened, Caroline sensed her end was near. She destroyed personal documents, including letters and memoirs, and drafted a new will, directing that her remains be returned to her native Brunswick, with a tomb inscribed, "Here lies Caroline, the Injured Queen of England." She died on August 7, 1821, at Brandenburg House, Hammersmith, at the age of 53, potentially from an intestinal obstruction or cancer, amidst rumors of poisoning.

Concerned that a funeral procession through London might incite unrest, Lord Liverpool directed that the Queen's cortege avoid the city. However, a large crowd blocked this route, demanding the procession pass through central London. This confrontation escalated into violence when soldiers clashed with the public, resulting in the deaths of two bystanders. The official route was ultimately abandoned, and the procession was rerouted through the city in heavy rain. Attempts by Caroline’s executors to alter her coffin's inscription in Colchester were unsuccessful. The next day, her body was transported to Harwich, then shipped to Brunswick, where she was laid to rest in Brunswick Cathedral.