Best alternative wife for George III?

Best alternative wife for George III

  • Sarah Lennox

    Votes: 3 33.3%
  • Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick

    Votes: 2 22.2%
  • Philippine of Bradenberg-Schwedt

    Votes: 1 11.1%
  • Caroline of Hesse-Darmstadt

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Sophia Magdalena of Denmark

    Votes: 1 11.1%
  • Fredericka of Saxe-Gotha

    Votes: 2 22.2%

  • Total voters
    9
There were many individuals considered for marriage to George III. George became infatuated with Lady Sarah Lennox and considered marrying her before being convinced to put duty before his personal feelings. Then a list of Protestant princesses were compiled before he finally settled on Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The other princesses had been rejected on account their bad tempers (Phillipine of Schwedt, Caroline of Darmstadt), being already bethrothed to someone else (Sophia Magdalena), being too young (Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick) and having a keen interest in philosophy (Fredricka of Saxe-Gotha). Which one of these would have been the best alternate bride for George III?
 
There were many individuals considered for marriage to George III. George became infatuated with Lady Sarah Lennox and considered marrying her before being convinced to put duty before his personal feelings. Then a list of Protestant princesses were compiled before he finally settled on Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The other princesses had been rejected on account their bad tempers (Phillipine of Schwedt, Caroline of Darmstadt), being already bethrothed to someone else (Sophia Magdalena), being too young (Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick) and having a keen interest in philosophy (Fredricka of Saxe-Gotha). Which one of these would have been the best alternate bride for George III?

Don't forget Sophie Karoline of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel (b.1737). George II wanted to marry his grandson to said princess, and Georgie, then prince of Wales, responded: "No! I will not be be-Wolfenbutteled!" As to Elisabeth Christine being too young, I'm not sure? George III only married after he became king (in 1761). Elisabeth Christine would've been 15yo, as opposed to Charlotte's 17yo.

If I look at the list I'd say most of them, just to save them from their miserable marriages of OTL:
Elisabeth Christine - with Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia (the marriage was loveless on both sides - think Prince Albert's parents or George I and his wife - when she tried to repay her husband in kind, she was arrested and locked up)
Philippine of Brandenburg-Schwedt - her marriage to the landgrave of Kassel wasn't exactly a resounding success, with her only child being one born out of wedlock. Fortunately, the landgrave didn't have any issue with this (if he indeed knew about it), but their relationship was already distant.
Sophia Magdalene of Denmark - we all know that story. Gustaf III's asexual/homosexual/bisexual/all-sexual tendencies and the rumours of illegitimacy that followed the birth of her son. From what I've read, the marriage was like the two mentioned above (indifferent spouses, not necessarily a loveless/unhappy marriage, but hardly the sort that George and Charlotte had). Also, IIRC, Sophia Magdalene was considered too formal (at the Swedish court), so I'm guessing that that formality wouldn't go over well in London. She'd come across as cold and aloof - and considering that it would be a first cousin match (as would Saxe-Gotha), I'm not holding out for a similar large brood as with Charlotte - hardly factors that will endear her to the British public/court. The difference might come when/if George goes stark raving. Charlotte didn't get involved in politics AFAIR, Sophia didn't, but she acquitted herself well as regent during Gustaf's absences. So, chances are, if the question of a regency comes up, it will be a battleground between the Queen and the prince of Wales.
 
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