Summary
“Queen to Be” introduces the main players of the series and offers a glimpse into how the ton looked before the first two seasons of Bridgerton.
We recap the Netflix series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Episode 1, “Queen To Be,” which contains spoilers.
Episode 1 introduces the leading players of the series and offers a glimpse into how the ton looked before the first two seasons of Bridgerton. We meet a young Charlotte (India Amarteifio) and get to watch her first interactions with the man who would become her husband.
The topic of diversity among the ton’s aristocracy is also addressed head-on, answering many of the fans’ questions about the show.
The episode overlaps with scenes from present-time Bridgerverse, where Queen Charlotte needs to turn her matchmaking skills onto her own family.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Episode 1 Recap
To say Charlotte is not happy with her impending marriage to the King of England at the start of episode one would be an understatement. Nevertheless, her brother Prince Adolphus (Tunji Kasim) has already signed the betrothal papers, and she has no choice in the matter.
Upon arrival in Englands, on her wedding day no less, she faces face to-face with her future mother-in-law, the Dowager Princess Augusta (Michelle Fairley), who makes it clear that Charlotte’s role is to produce as heirs to the throne and nothing more.
READ: How Accurate is Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story?
Making matters worse, everyone, including the future Queen’s new personal servant, Brimsley (Sam Clemmett), refuses to tell her anything about her new husband.
In the main Bridgerton series, race and the show’s uncanny diversity were only mentioned once in season one, when Lady Danbury alluded to how people of color became part of the ton thanks to the Queen. Here, the topic is addressed head-on.
Why was the ton desegregated?
In the Bridgerverse, the ton was racially segregated at the time of Charlotte’s arrival. And Princess Augusta expresses concerns about the bride’s skin color. But instead, he chooses to pretend there’s no racial division among the aristocracy. She invites wealthy POCs to the wedding at the last minute and even grants them titles.
This is where we meet a young Agatha Danbury (played by Arsema Thomas). She’s stuck in a loveless marriage with a much older man (Cyril Nri) that has terrifyingly impressive stamina. Sex with her husband is so awful that her closest friend and personal servant, Coral (Peyvand Sadeghian), gets a hot bath ready after each session.
Agatha is more than pleased to be invited to the royal wedding and surprised when her husband becomes Lord Danbury, making her a Lady by default. And she wastes no time in offering friendship to the new Queen.
When does Charlotte first meet George?
As for Charlotte, she decides to run for it because everyone refuses to give her any details about her new husband. Her meet-cute with King George happens as she’s trying and failing to climb over a wall.
At first, she has no idea she’s speaking to her future husband, but as soon as he reveals his identity and charms her, young Charlotte is besotted and agrees to the marriage.
The wedding goes without a hitch, and the new Queen is utterly infatuated with her husband.
Present Day Queen Charlotte loses an heir
Meanwhile, in present-day Bridgerverse, Queen Charlotte, whom we all know and love, played by Golda Rosheuvel, has received some devastating news. No, it’s not the death of her sick husband but of her granddaughter, the Princess Royal, who passed away in childbirth along with her newborn.
Even the compassionate friend, Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), didn’t waste a second reminding the ton that the Princess’s death leaves the monarchy vulnerable.
While the Queen and King had many children, none of them produced any legitimate heirs to the throne.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Episode 1 Ending Explained
Feeling the pressure from the gossip columnist and the Prime Minister, present-day Queen Charlotte addresses her 13 children and demands they get married and start having babies immediately. None of the princes or princesses are particularly excited about the prospect.
How does George surprise Charlotte after their wedding?
To young Charlotte’s bewilderment, George escorts her to Buckingham House at the end of the night and tells her she’s to reside there alone while he lives by himself at the Kew residence. The newly married Queen is confused. It’s her wedding night, and her husband has no intention of spending it with her. And when she tries to challenge him, he responds in anger.
The episode ends with the newly wedded Queen alone in bed, regretting not having jumped over the wall.
What did you think of Netflix’s Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Episode 1? Comment below.
