Princess Charlotte at Claremont Landscape Garden

2017 marks two hundred years since the tragic death of Britain's beloved heir, Princess Charlotte Augusta, who lived at Claremont in the early nineteenth century. Learn all about Charlotte's life and times with a year packed full of events, from guided walks to wedding banquets.

Charlotte's story

" A Rose of loveliest form and hue
In Britain's royal garden grew
Its ornament and pride;
Delighted on its charms we gaz'd.
When fate the whelming tempest rais'd —
It budded, and it died!"

An engraving of the newly wed Charlotte and Leopold holding hands — The happy newlyweds

Princess Charlotte's wedding

In May 1816, the heir apparent finally tied the knot with His Serene Highness Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg.

All about the big day

An engraving of Princess Charlotte at her wedding at Carlton House

Who was Princess Charlotte?

Princess Charlotte Augusta was the original "people's princess". Beloved by the nation in the early nineteenth century, she spent the happiest days of her life at Claremont. Learn more about the forgotten daughter of England.

Princess Charlotte was the daughter of George IV and the granddaughter of George III

Why was Princess Charlotte important?

Learn about why the future of the British monarchy rested on Princess Charlotte's shoulders, and how her story shaped the future of the country.

A portrait of the young Princess Charlotte

Princess Charlotte's early years

Find out what life was like for the young Princess Charlotte, kept in isolation away from her family and court.

A portrait of Princess Charlotte as a young lady with flowers in her hair

Charlotte's tumultuous teens

Read about Charlotte's tumultuous teens and her troubled relationship with the Prince Regent.

A painting of Charlotte and Leopold in an opera box

When Charlotte met Leopold

Discover the heartwarming story of the romance between Charlotte and her dashing prince, Leopold of Saxe-Coburg.

Events

Wedding banquet

Celebrate the anniversary of Charlotte and Leopold's marriage with a Regency-style wedding banquet and guided walk, an event in partnership with Claremont Fan Court School.

Regency picnic

On Saturday 24 June, experience Claremont as Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold might have done in the early nineteenth century, with an exciting evening of promenades, costumes, boating, music and more.

For families

A family walking through the gardens at Claremont

Spring holiday children's trail

Discover the secret locations in the garden that Princess Charlotte loved.

A drawing of a lady wearing a mauve hat and pelisse

Regency dress-up

Our clever seamstresses are hard at work sewing tailcoats and pelisses so you can dress up like a Georgian in the summer holidays. Watch this space for more info.

Restoration and recreation

A section of railing before restoration at Claremont Landscape Garden

Restoring the royal railings at Claremont Landscape Garden

Dating back to the nineteenth century, the decorative iron railings around the Camellia Terrace are the last tangible mark left by Claremont's royal couple, Charlotte and Leopold. In 2017, we're beginning a project to restore the railings to their former glory.

Recreating Princess Charlotte's mausoleum

Learn the story behind the nineteenth-century building project that began as a tea-house and ended as a mausoleum.

Get involved

Volunteer with us

Do you love the story of Princess Charlotte and all things Georgian? Could you help us raise money to restore Leopold's royal railings? We'd love to hear from you.