Was Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz of African Ancestry?

Every person on earth shares a common heritage with Africa, as all humans have African ancestry. However, the specific question of whether Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife of King George III of the United Kingdom, had African ancestry presents an interesting historical exploration. Here’s a detailed examination of her lineage and the historical context.

Conflicting Claims and Historical Context

Despite popular belief, there is no substantial historical evidence to support the claim that Queen Charlotte had African ancestry. If she had, it would have been noted, given the conspicuous nature of such an lineage. No written records mention any African ancestry for Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, which suggests that the assertion is likely unfounded.

Queen Charlotte’s Lineage

Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the wife of King George III, a pivotal monarch in British history. Let’s dive into the details of her lineage to clarify any misconceptions.

Madragana Ben Aloandro: Tracing Back to the Mozarabic Roots

One of the key pieces of her ancestry is Madragana Ben Aloandro, a Mozarabic woman from Portugal, born around 1230 AD. The Mozarabs were non-Muslim Iberians, living under Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. However, it’s important to note that her family had a complex history.

Bethuel Aloandro (or Aloandro), the father of Madragana, served as the Governor of Faro, Portugal. The family belonged to a prominent Jewish community that converted to Christianity in the 13th century. This conversion is significant as it aligns the family’s roots more closely with European Christian families rather than African or Arab descent.

The clue to their original roots lies in the name “ben Beker.” In Jewish tradition, patronymic forms like “ben” (son of) and “bat” (daughter of) are used, which differ from the Arabic “ibn” and “bint.” This indicates that the family maintained their Jewish identity and heritage, even as they converted to Christianity.

A Moorish Misconception: A Common Ancestor?

It is a common misconception that Moors, particularly those from Spain and North Africa, were African. Historically, the term “African” or “Black” refers to sub-Saharan Africans, a designation that Africa originally did not encompass. The Moors, on the other hand, were Berber Muslims, arriving in Spain during the eighth century as part of the Islamic conquest.

The Almohads, who invaded the Iberian Peninsula from the southern Arabian Peninsula, swept through Egypt, North Africa, and into Spain and Southern France. These tribes had their origins in Southwest Asia and the Levant (modern-day Turkey, Iraq, and Iran).

Considering Madragana’s birth in 1230 and Queen Charlotte’s birth in 1744, Madragana would be approximately 17 generations removed from Queen Charlotte. At this distance, the likelihood of any significant genetic link is extremely low.

Critical Reevaluation and Contemporary Perspectives

Contemporary perspectives on Queen Charlotte’s ancestry are largely informed by her documented family history. Scholar J.A. Rogers, in his 1940 book "Sex and Race," made a controversial claim that Charlotte had Black ancestry based on a physical portrait that showed she had full lips and a broad nose. However, this claim has been largely disregarded by historians due to a lack of historical evidence.

The re-emergence of this claim in the wake of Meghan Markle's engagement to Prince Harry in 2017 reignited interest in the subject. Determined researchers have attempted to validate the suggested link, but no concrete evidence has emerged to substantiate Rogers' assertion.

The Portuguese King of the 1200s, who was one of Queen Charlotte’s distant ancestors, may have had a mistress who was an Arab or Christian living in the Iberian Peninsula under Arab rule. However, this does not provide a strong foundation for assuming a direct link to African ancestry for Queen Charlotte herself.

Conclusion

While it is indeed fascinating to explore the ancestry of historical figures, it is important to rely on solid historical evidence. Based on documented records and the specific circumstances surrounding Queen Charlotte’s ancestry, there is no substantial evidence to suggest she had African or Moorish ancestry. Historical research and genetic testing play crucial roles in verifying such claims, and until definitive proof comes to light, it remains accurate to state that Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz did not have African ancestry.