Why is Charlotte called the ‘Queen City’? What to know about its royal namesake
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
Charlotte is as American as it gets, but the city does have a royal nickname – the Queen City.
Read more Beloved ‘gathering space’ being torn down in Great Smoky Mountains, park says
Charlotte’s ties to the American Revolution are numerous –The Charlotte Observer recently published a map of Charlotte area Revolutionary War sites – but the city is named for Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, according to the city’s website.
Mecklenburg County, you may guess, was also named for Queen Charlotte. Or at least, after the Dukedom where she was born, according to Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.
Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the wife of King George III. She was unusual for her knowledge of botany, history, language and religion, according to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. At the time of Charlotte’s birth in 1744, it was uncommon for women to read and write.
Read more NC auditor reassigns Dallas Woodhouse after controversy over early voting plans
In fiction, “Bridgerton” fans may recognize Charlotte as the haughty, meddling queen overseeing the marriage mart. Like her fictional interpretation, the real Queen Charlotte had 15 children, 13 of whom survived to adulthood.
Charlotte married George at age 17, and moved to what is now known as Buckingham Palace. She is credited with introducing the Christmas tree, a German custom, to Britain, the Charlotte Observer previously reported.
Other cities also bear the nickname.
Portions of this story were previously published in The Charlotte Observer.
Questions about life in North Carolina? Or have a tip or story idea you’d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.
Read more Hispanic grocer in Charlotte to expand in community that lacks grocery stores
You can submit your question by filling out this form.
