Esther Denner fl. mid 18th century

The sitter was the daughter of Charles Lewis, brother of Frederick, third duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and was to become the Queen of George III.  She landed in England for the first time on 7th September 1761, the year that this portrait was painted.  The next day she met George and they were married that evening.  Charlotte is believed to have said that, from that moment, until the time of George's illness, she never knew real sorrow.  The coronation of King George and Queen Charlotte took place on 22nd September that year.  Charlotte never played an active role in matters of state, and maintained her role as a loyal and loving consort.  In 1788, when King George became ill, the care of his health was placed entirely in her hands.  She died in 1818 having borne eighteen children.  

Esther Denner was the daughter and pupil of Balthasar Denner, the German portrait painter, who worked for Christian-Ludwig II, Duke of Mecklenberg-Schwerin.