Queen to Be (Netflix)

**Queen to Be** is the first episode of *Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story*.

## Synopsis

Betrothed against her will to King George, young Charlotte arrives in London on her wedding day and faces scrutiny from the monarch's cunning mother.

## Full Summary

**Mirow**
**(Northern Germany)**

Charlotte walks around her home. She peeks through a crack in the door to see her brother Duke Adolphus making a deal. She watches as Adolphus signs his name and shakes on it. She knocks over a sculpture outside the room, then runs off.

The crash of the sculpture breaking draws Aldolphus's attention and he leaves the room.

Charlotte and Adolphus climb into their carriage.

As they drive, Adolphus comments on Charlotte sitting so stiffly. She explains that her outfit makes it difficult and possibly dangerous for her to move too much. If she moves too much, she could be sliced and stabbed to death by her undergarments. She's considered it a viable option, to move and let her undergarments kill her. Adolphus knows she's upset. She says she isn't. She's just angry and can't breathe. Adolphus says it's a great honor that she's been chosen. She doesn't think of it as an honor and wishes he'd told them to pick someone else. She wants to know the reason why they searched across the continent for her instead of choosing someone closer. She knows it can't be a good reason. Adolphus tells her it's a good thing and she'll be happy. She wants to go home, but he already signed the betrothal contract. She threatens to bounce and impale herself. He says he should have taken a firmer hand with her when their parents died. He feels he indulged her too much and she's too headstrong now and thinks she can make decisions. She can't and he's in charge. And he couldn't say no to the British Empire. They're a tiny province in Germany. He knows the reason isn't good. No one who looks like them has ever married someone like that. He tells her to do her duty and be happy. After a moment, he apologizes, but says there are worse fates than marrying the King of England. She asks him to lean back because he's endangering her gown and she needs to look perfect when she arrives.

*Queen Charlotte walks toward the door, flanked by Brimsley and some maids. The royal doctor comes in and she asks if the king is dead. The doctor says no. She goes to go back to bed, then turns around and tells him it's treasonous to interrupt her beauty sleep. She asks him who's dead if not the king.*

*Lady Whistledown's pamphlets are printed, reporting on the death of the princess royal, granddaughter of the king and queen, who died in childbirth, along with her baby.*

*Queen Charlotte comforts Prince George as he cries over his daughter's body.*

*Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton receive the news of the princess's death.*

*The ton watches as Queen Charlotte and the funeral process pass, offering their condolences.*

*Queen Charlotte walks through her home, looking at portraits of her family over the years, starting with just her and the king.*

Adolphus cautions young Charlotte to be her most agreeable.

Princess Augusta walks around Charlotte and examines her. She says Charlotte has good hips and will make lots of babies, which is good. That's her job, to make as many babies as possible for Augusta's son. Charlotte asks if they'll be introduced soon. Augusta ignores the question and tells Brimsley to take Charlotte to the seamstress to get her dress fitted. Charlotte says she brought her wedding gown and it's a perfect fit. It was designed in Paris. Augusta says they'll provide the gown, a traditional one. She leaves and Adolphus tells her she did well and he'll see her at the ceremony.

Charlotte walks around. Brimsley follows. When she stops, he stops. When she moves, he moves. She turns around and asks him to walk with her as she has questions. He says that's not how it's done and explains that he walks five paces behind her at all times. She asks him to tell her about the king. All he can do is recite basic facts about his reign, which doesn't satisfy Charlotte.

Princess Augusta expresses her shock at Charlotte being brown. Earl Harcourt did tell her Charlotte had moor blood, but Princess Augusta wasn't expecting her to be quite so brown. Lord Bute thinks people will talk, but Earl Harcourt says they've already made the trade deals. Augusta agrees that they can't cancel the royal wedding on the day. Lord Bute says she might have to because it's a problem. Princess says a problem is only a problem if the Palace says it is. The King is the head of the Church of England and ruler of this great land, so nothing he does could be a problem for the Palace. So this must be as the Palace wishes it. Lord Bute agrees. They agree that the king's choice has been intentional. To make it clear, they need to expand the guest list and add to the new queen's court. To be clear, the King wishes to expand the guest list. Earl Harcourt reminds her that the wedding is in six hours, but she doesn't think that'll be a problem.

Invitations are extended to some Black and brown members of the ton.

Mr. Danbury is thrusting on top of a bored-looking Mrs. Agatha Danbury. He finally groans and stops. He falls onto the bed next to her, tells her that was a good ride, and removes his teeth. He tells her she can nap in there and then he has a surprise for her. She thanks him and he falls asleep. After a few moments, she gets up.

Coral has Mrs. Danbury's bath waiting. Mrs. Danbury is upset that Coral didn't warn her. She says she didn't have warning this time, because the butler gave her no warning. It was spontaneous. Mrs. Danbury says it's bad enough that she has to endure it, but having to endure it without warning is worse. She remembers that Mr. Danbury said he had a surprise and wonders if it'll happen again. Coral suspects the surprise is what excited him. He got a letter from the palace. They've been invited to the royal wedding. Mrs. Danbury doesn't believe it, but Coral says it's true. She's already called the modiste to alter a gown for her. Mrs. Danbury is surprised because the two sides never mix. Coral says the Bassets received an invitation as well. In addition, Mrs. Danbury is to attend the new queen as part of her court. Mrs. Danbury asks to see the letter.

Charlotte asks about the king. Brimsley doesn't answer her questions. He wants to talk about the ceremony and get her ready. Charlotte asks the seamstress, but the seamstress just says they'll have wonderful children together. Charlotte remembers that Brimsley said he'd always be with her and he confirms that's true. She says she needs to use the chamber pot. He calls for everyone to withdraw so she can have privacy. Once she's alone, she looks at herself in the mirror.

The Danburys arrive at the wedding. Mr. Danbury warns Mrs. Danbury not to gawk around like a peasant. She needs to act as though she's been there before.

Brimsley walks around frantically, searching. He steps to the side when he sees Princess Augusta coming. Princess Augusta says all the guests have arrived. She says she'll greet the new guests first to make the king's intentions clear. Once she has passed, Brimsley continues his search.

Princess Augusta comes to Mr. Danbury. He was friendly with her son's grandfather, the previous king. She calls him Lord Danbury and tells him he'll receive the official proclamation from the king soon. They are now Lord and Lady Danbury, as all members of the ton must be titled. It's time they're united as a society. She goes next to Lord and Lady Smythe-Smith as Lord and Lady Danbury adjusts to their new titles.

Brimsley continues his search. He goes to Reynolds and says there's a problem. He can't find the new queen.

The guests start to get restless. Lord Danbury falls asleep. Charlotte watches from above and Lady Danbury watches her.

Charlotte goes outside and walks away.

Charlotte stands at a wall and contemplates it. Then she tries to climb it. A man comes up and asks if she needs help. She tells him she's fine and tells him to go back inside. First, he wants to know what she's doing. She denies doing anything, but admits to trying to figure out how to climb the garden wall. She thinks the king must be a beast or a troll because no one will tell her anything about him. She asks for his assistance being lifted up. The man asks if what the king looks like matters. She says she doesn't care what he looks like, but she does care that she doesn't know. She asks again for his help. He says people will notice she's missing and says he doesn't intend to help her climb a wall so she doesn't have to marry him. She realizes that the man is King George. He introduces himself to her. She calls him Your Majesty, but he says he's just George to her. She apologizes. He says the king situation is just an accident of birth and he's hoping as his wife, she can ignore it. But that was before he learned she doesn't want to marry him. She says she didn't say that, but he knows she did. She says she doesn't know him, but he doesn't know her either, except that she's terrible at climbing walls. She blames that on her clothing. He tells her she's incomparable. No one told him she was this beautiful. She might be too beautiful to marry him. He asks what she wants to know about him. She says she wants to know everything. He tells her he was born prematurely. Everyone thought he was going to die, but he didn't. He's a fair fencer and a better shot. His favorite food is mutton and he hates fish. He likes books, art, and good conversation. Most of all, he loves science, especially astronomy. He's quite the farmer. He probably would be a farmer if he weren't king. He has a scar from falling off his horse and another from a paring knife. He's also nervous about meeting a girl he's met only minutes before the wedding. And he can't go over a wall because that would cause a scandal. He promises he's not a troll or a beast. He's just George. Adolphus comes up to them and says they've been looking all over for Charlotte. When he sees George, he stops talking and bows. George shakes his hand and says Charlotte was just deciding whether or not she wants to marry him. Adolphus starts to say she does, but George says she's still deciding. The choice is up to her. George needs to get back because some guards probably think he's been kidnapped. He kisses Charlotte's hand and says he hopes he sees her in there. Adolphus asks if she's still hesitating. She says she needs to change.

The ceremony begins. Charlotte enters in the gown she brought with her. Adolphus leads her down the aisle. The archbishop marries them.

George and Charlotte dance together.

Adolphus tells Charlotte to take care. He'll pray that they're soon blessed with children. Lady Danbury introduces herself and says she'll be part of the queen's court. Charlotte says they'll be great friends. Lady Danbury warns her to be careful and promises to come if the queen sends for her. Once she's gone, George says he has a present for Charlotte. She'll need her cloak.

The town cheers as the king and queen pass. Charlotte asks George where he's taking her, but he says she'll have to wait and see. They pull up to a house. George tells her he had it redesigned just for her. It's her house. He had her things moved there during the ceremony. She asks if it's not their house. He says officially, St. James's Palace is their house, but she'll stay here. He has an estate in Kew where he'll live. She reminds him it's their wedding night. He says it's late and she's been traveling. She needs to meet her staff and get some rest. She repeats that it's their wedding night. They're married so they're supposed to do what married people do. George asks if she's demanding he perform his marital duty. She's not demanding. She's not even sure what it is, but her governess told her they'd spend the night together. After a moment, he says he'll stay. They go inside.

The staff claps as they enter. Charlotte calls to George to stop. She doesn't want him if this is how he's going to behave. She asks what she's done wrong. He says she has nothing to be sorry for. He just wants to go to Kew. She says they can go to Kew. He says this is her home and she says Kew is his. He goes to leave and she asks if this is how their marriage is going to be, them living separately. He says yes. He thought it would be easier. He says he doesn't need to explain because he's her king and he has decided. Charlotte thought he was just George. She bows and asks him if she can leave. He tells her it's for the best. He leaves.

Brimsley follows Charlotte as she walks around her new home. She tells him she's fine and he doesn't need to follow her, but he says he will. She orders him not to follow her, but it's his sworn duty to take care of her at all times. He hopes in time, she'll get used to him. She says they can spend the rest of their lives together.

*Queen Charlotte asks Brimsley if they're sober. He doesn't want to say. She notes that it's not yet 11 in the morning. She enters the room where her children are waiting. Prince Adolphus says it's early and Prince George adds that she can't just summon them like this. Prince William won't stand for it. They have lives and business to attend to. She asks if they mean fornicating with their mistresses and producing more bastards for her to ignore. Prince Edward says there are impressionable ladies present. She says no sexual innuendo makes an impression on their sisters. She wishes it did. Maybe then they'd marry and have babies so she can have legitimate grandbabies. Princess Elizabeth reminds her mother that she's married and says she's trying to have babies. Queen Charlotte isn't convinced that she is. She asks if Elizabeth is sure he's putting it in the right place. She says the only heir to the throne is dead. George starts crying and she comforts him. She says the princesses have had no babies and the princes have only had illegitimate ones. They had one heir and she's gone. It's a crisis. The Prime Minister contacted her about it and Lady Whistledown is talking about it, which means everyone will be talking about it. It's time for them to find husbands and trade mistresses for respectable wives. One of them must produce the next ruler of the United Kingdom or their father's line dies with him. She tells them to make a royal baby and says it's not hard. She and their father made 15 all by themselves. She can't see why all of them can't make just one.*

Charlotte sits alone in her bed and says she should have gone over the wall.

## Cast

### Main Cast

* India Amarteifio as Young Queen Charlotte
* Adjoa Andoh as Lady Agatha Danbury
* Michelle Fairley as Princess Augusta
* Ruth Gemmell as Lady Violet Bridgerton
* Corey Mylchreest as King George III
* Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte
* Arsema Thomas as Young Agatha Danbury
* Sam Clemmett as Young Brimsley
* Freddie Dennis as Reynolds
* Hugh Sachs as Brimsley
* Julie Andrews as Lady Whistledown

### Guest Stars

* Tunji Kasim as Adolphus
* Cyril Nri as Lord Danbury
* Peyvand Sadeghian as Coral
* Ryan Gage as Prince Regent
* Joshua Riley as Prince Adolphus
* Jack Michael Stacey as Prince Edward
* Seamus Dillane as Prince William
* Sabina Arthur as Princess Elizabeth
* Eliza Capel as Princess Sophia
* Neil Edmond as Earl Harcourt
* Richard Cunningham as Lord Bute
* Rob Maloney as Royal Doctor
* Sophie Arthur as Seamstress

## Music

* She flees when she's caught watching.
 "A Feeling I've Never Been"
 "Halo"
* George shows her the house he had redesigned for her.

## Notes and Trivia

* The table read for this episode took place on July 22, 2019. Filming started on July 28, 2019.

## Quotes

***Adolphus:*** I am sorry, but there are worse fates than marrying the King of England.