Queen Charlotte of Friskland

Queen Charlotte of Friskland (née Charlotte Marie Louise du Bellay; born 4 August 1961) is the current queen consort of Friskland.

Early life

A native of Bordeaux, France, Charlotte was born there on 4 August 1961 to Henri-Christian du Bellay, an accountant, and Marie-Astride (née de Beauchamp), a local politician. She has two elder sisters, Dominique and Victoire, and an elder brother, Maxime. Her father, Henri-Christian, was also a native of Bordeaux, and her mother, Marie-Astride, was the daughter of a French father and a Frisklandic mother.

After graduating from high school, Charlotte was accepted to Sciences Po in Paris to study Political Humanities. She graduated from university with a PhD in 1986.

Marriage and children

Charlotte first met Crown Prince Carl Vilhelm of Friskland whilst on a visit to Friskland in 1983. They began a friendship and maintained contact long-distance. They became a couple officially in 1985. They waited until Charlotte had gained her PhD before becoming engaged, and announced it publicly on June 19, 1986. After just under a year of planning, Carl Vilhelm and Charlotte were married on 14 May 1987 in Jättenholm.

Upon her marriage to Carl Vilhelm, Charlotte gained the title and styles of Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Friskland. She moved permanently to Friskland and took up an associate professorship at the University of Jättenholm. Not long after this, Carl Vilhelm and Charlotte announced they were expecting their first child. On 13 July 1988, their first child, a son, was born. They named him Henrik Frederik Vilhelm Axel.

Two years later on 4 October 1990, Charlotte gave birth to the couple's second child, named Mathilda Lucia Anna Charlotte. In the summer of 1991, Charlotte and Carl Vilhelm took a month-long tour Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Their children remained at home with their grandparents, the King and Queen. In 1992, the family moved to Torberg Palace in Jättenholm.

On 19 August 1993, the couple's third child and second son, Oscar Carl Erik Lucas, was born. In November 1993, Charlotte officially left her professorship at the University of Jättenholm, to focus more on her royal duties and parenthood. On 23 September 1995, the couple's youngest child, Felix Daniel Theodor Adam, was born.

Later life

The family lived in relative stability for the next fifteen years, carrying out duties and representing the family. In 2010, when the King's health began to fail, Charlotte and Carl Vilhelm were required to increase their duties, with Carl Vilhelm almost serving as a regent. When Henrik VII passed away in 2012, Carl Vilhelm became King, and Charlotte his Queen consort. The family moved again to the Royal Palace, the Monarch's official residence.

She attended her son's wedding to Marie-Sofie Lund in January 2019.

Activities

As Queen, Charlotte has taken an active role in patronage of various charities and organisations, and has helped to promote many mental health projects. She also serves as an official counsel to the King, advising him on state matters also.

Charlotte speaks four languages: her native French, as well as Swedish, English and Spanish.

Issue

Charlotte and Carl Vilhelm have four children:

• His Royal Highness Crown Prince Henrik, born 13 July 1988
• Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilda, Princess Royal, born 4 October 1990
• His Royal Highness Prince Oscar, born 19 August 1993
• His Royal Highness Prince Felix, born 23 September 1995

Titles and styles

Monarchical styles of Queen Charlotte (as consort)
Reference style	Her Majesty
Spoken style	Your Majesty

• 4 August 1961 - 3 August 1986: Charlotte Marie Louise du Bellay
• 3 August 1986 - 14 May 1987: Dr. Charlotte Marie Louise du Bellay, PhD MSc BSc
• 14 May 1987 - 6 December 2012: Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess
• 6 December 2012 - present: Her Majesty the Queen