Caroline Matilda, a princess of the House of Hanover, was born in London in July 1751. Due to a family feud, her immediate family did not live at the official court, but resided instead at Leicester House and at White House in Kew. This was where Caroline Matilda – usually known as “Matilda” – grew up, in the relaxed atmosphere of a landscape full of gardens.
She had a particularly close relationship with her eldest brother George, who went on to become George III of England in 1760 and who also ruled the Electorate of Hanover in a personal union. He was her legal guardian but also her protector and advisor. His primary aim, however, was to further the dynastic interests of his ruling house – and it was this that was at the forefront of his mind when he arranged a politically advantageous marriage between his sister, who had only just turned 15, and a member of the Danish royal family.
On 1 October 1766, a formal wedding ceremony took place in which Caroline Matilda was married to the young king of Denmark, Christian VII, at St James’s Palace in London. The bridegroom was not present, however, and Caroline Matilda’s brother Edward acted as proxy.
King of Great Britain and Ireland,
Elector of Hanover (reigned 1760–1820)
Alan Ramsey (workshop)
Oil on canvas, second half of the 18th century
Bomann Museum Celle / City of Celle
BM00781/ST
In 1772, Caroline Matilda turned to her eldest brother to help her leave Denmark.
He decided that the exiled queen should go to Celle.
Queen of Great Britain and Ireland,
Electress of Hanover
Alan Ramsey (workshop)
Oil on canvas, second half of the 18th century
Bomann Museum Celle / City of Celle
BM00782/ST
Sophia Charlotte of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz married the English king George III in 1761. They had 15 children together, and the family lived an almost bourgeois day-to-day life. Charlotte also took a keen interest in the development of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.
Prince of Wales, Caroline Matilda’s father
Unknown artist
Oil on canvas, around 1740
Bomann Museum Celle / City of Celle
BM00069/ST
Frederick Louis was estranged from his father, George II, just as George II had been estranged from his own father. Frederick’s family therefore presided over their own “shadow court” away from the official London palace.
Princess of Wales, Caroline Matilda’s mother
Unknown artist
Oil on canvas, around 1740
Bomann Museum Celle / City of Celle
BM00070/ST
Augusta greatly extended the former park at Kew, laying the foundation for what is now Kew Gardens, an internationally renowned botanic garden.