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Where does Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story fit in the Netflix franchise timeline?

Corey Mylchreest and India Amarteifio as King George III and Queen Charlotte in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton story. (Netflix)
Corey Mylchreest and India Amarteifio as King George III and Queen Charlotte in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton story. (Netflix)

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is now streaming on Netflix, introducing fans to the newest chapter of the period drama franchise.

The show landed on the streaming service on 4 May, and it tells the origin story of Queen Charlotte's (Golda Rosheuvel) royal marriage to King George III (James Fleet) as well as her mission later in life to get one of their 13 children to wed and sire an heir.

Read more: Everything we know about Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

This may lead some viewers to wonder exactly when the new series is set, and here is everything you need to know.

When is Queen Charlotte set?

India Amarteifio stars in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. (Netflix)
India Amarteifio stars in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. (Netflix)

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story alternates between two timelines: when its titular character is getting married to George, with India Amarteifio and Corey Mylchreest playing Charlotte and George, and the period when Rosheuvel’s royal plays matchmaker for her children after the only heir to the throne dies in childbirth.

This gives some indication as to when the series takes place historically speaking, as their marriage was in 1761, and their granddaughter Princess Charlotte Augusta died in November 1817.

Watch the trailer for Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

But, for those interested in whether the limited series impacts the flagship show, the answer is a little more complicated. Rosheuvel is not the only actor to return for the prequel, Adjoa Andoh and Ruth Gemmell also reprise their roles as Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton, respectively.

All three characters have often been made to sit on the sidelines in favour of the Bridgerton children, whose love stories have captivated audiences for two seasons so far, but the prequel gives the trio the chance to share their stories. We get to learn more about them, their friendships, and the personal struggles they hope to overcome together.

How Queen Charlotte connects to Bridgerton

Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, James Fleet as King George in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. (Liam Daniel/Netflix)
Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, James Fleet as King George in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. (Liam Daniel/Netflix)

The 'present day' scenes of Queen Charlotte are set shortly after the main events of Bridgerton Season 2, a fact that is made clear when Violet tells Lady Danbury of how her eldest son Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) is away on his honeymoon with wife Kate (Simone Ashley).

The final scenes of Season 2 explained that the happy couple had gone travelling for a period of six months after tying the knot, and so Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story takes place during this period.

Read more: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story review

While the Bridgerton children do not make their presence known in the prequel, their mother does go on to explain that Eloise (Claudia Jessie) and Penelope Featherington (Nichola Coughlan) are still in the midst of their feud.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. (L to R) India Amarteifio as Young Queen Charlotte, Corey Mylchreest as Young King George in episode 103 of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. (Netflix)
India Amarteifio as Young Queen Charlotte, Corey Mylchreest as Young King George in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. (Netflix)

An exact timeframe is not given for the prequel, but Queen Charlotte is later seen preparing for her Christmas celebrations with her family so it can also be surmised that the show takes place over several months.

As such, the period drama acts as more of a precursor to Season 3 and it does not give much indication of what will take place in the forthcoming series, which will be centred on Penelope’s romance with Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is available on Netflix from Thursday, 4 May.