Charlotte Sophia (1744-1818), wife of King George III, was the youngest daughter of Charles Lewis, brother of Frederik, 3rd Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Accounts of her early life, reveal her to have been a sprited young lady, even writing directly to the King of Prussia when his troops caused damage to a relative's estate. It is this action, which is said to have drawn the attention of the English Court to her. Enquiries were made as to her suitability as consort to King George and a formal marriage proposal followed.

Charlotte left Cuxhaven in North Germany in the late summer of 1761. The journey proved difficult with rough seas and contrary winds, although these conditions do not appear to have disturbed Charlotte, who spent most of her time practising English tunes on her harpsichord. When she finally arrived, on the 7 September 1761, she was met by a fascinated English public - a depiction of the scene by Dominic Serres, in the National Maritime Museum, shows people gathered on the beach in considerable numbers, watching the tall ships come into harbour.

From Harwich, Charlotte travelled to London, meeting King George for the first time at St. James's the next day and they were married that evening. Charlotte later wrote that from that time until the King's illness, she never knew real sorrow.