Caroline of Ansbach

Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (Wilhelmina Charlotte Caroline; 1 March 1683 – 20 November 1737) was the wife of George II of Great Britain. During her time as queen consort she had a lot of power.

 Early life 
Caroline of Ansbach was born in Ansbach in Germany, the daughter of Johann Friedrich, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, and his second wife, Princess Eleanor Erdmuthe Louise of Saxe-Eisenach. Orphaned at an early age, Caroline grew up an intelligent, cultured and attractive woman, and was much sought-after as a bride.

 Possible marriages and marriage to George 
She turned down the King of Spain because it would cause her to renounce the Protestant faith. Shortly after she met the son of the elector of Hanover They married in 1705. Over the next 30 years they had nine children.

 Queen 
George I of Great Britain died 11 June 1727. George Augustus ascended the throne as George II of Great Britain. Caroline held George on a string. When the Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole met with the King he and Caroline had signs to communicate with each other. George never noticed.thumb|left|150px| Frederick the Prince of Wales, ca. 1724.Both the King and Queen truly disliked their eldest son Frederick, Prince of Wales. Caroline once called him the Greatest Ass the world has ever known. They preferred Prince William, Duke of Cumberland over Fredrick.

 Later years 
Caroline died 20 November 1737. George was at her side. Caroline asked him to remarry on her deathbed, to which he replied "No, I shall only have mistresses" or in French, "Non, j'aurai seulement des maîtresses!" in tears.

 After death 
George had Caroline buried in Westminster Abbey. He bought two coffins with removable sides, so after he died they would lie together again.

 Children 

Caroline's nine pregnancies (from 1707-1724) resulted in eight live births. One of them, Prince George William (13 November 1717-17 February 1718), died in infancy. Seven of them lived to adulthood.
NameBirthDeathNotesFrederick, Prince of Wales1 February 170731 March 1751married 1736, Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha-Altenberg; had issueAnne, Princess Royal2 November 170912 January 1759married 1734, Prince Willem IV of Orange-Nassau; had issuePrincess Amelia10 July 171131 October 1786 Princess Caroline21 June 171328 December 1757 Prince Augustus George9 November 17169 November 1716stillbornPrince George William13 November 171717 February 1718died in infancyPrince William, Duke of Cumberland26 April 172131 October 1765 Princess Mary5 March 172314 January 1772married 1740, Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel); had issuePrincess Louise18 December 172419 December 1751married 1743, Frederick V, King of Denmark and Norway; had issue

Ancestry

 Legacy 
Caroline alongside Prince Albert, and Mary of Modena is regarded one of the most powerful British consorts in History.

References

Sources

Other websites

Caroline of Ansbach  at the Royal Collection

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Category:1683 births
Category:1737 deaths
Category:House of Hanover
Category:House of Hohenzollern
Category:Regents
Category:People from Bavaria
Category:People buried in Westminster Abbey
Category:Kings and Queens consort