In this recent and crackling coronation atmosphere that brings back to life old and new royal court’s intrigues (with the British in the forefront!!!), my husband and I decided to spend some evenings watching the Netflix series “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton story”. Given that we fully enjoyed the first two series and that we are a pair of hopeless romantics, we approached this latest series with great expectations.
The contemptuous and haughty modes of the character of Queen Charlotte in the first two Bridgerton series did not arise particular sympathy in me although the story of her husband's madness/illness tickled my curiosity. In this series the story of Queen Charlotte is deepened and it is explained how she arranged to become the character of the Bridgerton series. Summing up… I really enjoyed the series, I found the actors fine and beautiful , perfect to act as young queen and king rising to the challenge launched by their aged versions (I could never stop loving the good old Tom of Four wedding and a funeral – James Fleet).
This series made me thinking about a third hidden (but not too much) protagonist: the marriage.
Watching the initial scenes of the distance between Queen Charlotte and King George, it is striking how she initially tries to rebel against events, to understand, to try to spend time with her husband: she is constantly torn between her strength of character that suggests to act and awareness of her role and responsibilities that requires her to stay and behave as expected of her. A queen.
Lately it seems that some of these royals have forgotten the meaning of the words role and responsibility, but this is another chapter that deserves less attention. In any case, the two of them are married and she wants to be the king's wife, even when she finds out about her husband's mental illness. There is not a single moment in which she hesitates or thinks of collapsing. In addition,, she protects her husband from himself and from anyone trying to hurt him.
Finally, what else is a marriage but promising in front of the whole world to protect each other while building something beautiful together? Such as family, home and a handful of experience to share. And family not necessary means one or more children, a pair of two is a family too; home is not villa but a place to come back; experiences are the happy ones but also the difficulties overcome. Because marriage is also pulling the rope, holding on when something falls, understand and share the feelings of the other, fighting for him when he needs your help. It can be stated that (I often heard it!) marriage is not necessary to have all this. It is true. But it takes a lot of courage to promise all of this in front of the community, to declare to believe in your relationship right from the start without having any guarantee for the future. Saying: "I will love you despite everything and I want to shout it to the world because I'm not afraid". This right, the possibility of saying and signing in front of everyone "I promise to be close to you forever" cannot be denied to anyone. There is not an only single valid reason to deny marriage to two people who love each other and want to build something together; surely the fact that they are a same-sex couple or people of different faith should not stop them.
Charlotte loved George till the end, or at least that’s what the series tells us, she loved him every single day of her life, just like she had the courage to promise.