"Bridgerton" returns with another juicy season after the "Queen Charlotte" spin-off. Here are the references to "Queen Charlotte" in season three.
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The latest season of "Bridgerton" includes a few callbacks to "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" that some fans may have missed.
After two successful seasons of "Bridgerton," Netflix created the "Queen Charlotte" spin-off in an effort to expand the hit show into a franchise like Star Wars or Marvel.
The 2023 spin-off is set decades before the main show and delves into the history of fan-favorite supporting "Bridgerton" characters —Brimsley (Hugh Sachs), Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), and Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel).
Some scenes are also set in the main "Bridgerton" timeframe, though it's not clear when these scenes are set. With the release of "Bridgerton" season three, it's clear that these scenes are set just after season two, and there are further references to "Queen Charlotte" in the new episodes.
Here are five "Queen Charlotte" references in "Bridgerton" season three, part one.
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In one of the "Queen Charlotte" scenes that is set in the main "Bridgerton" timeframe, Violet Bridgerton, the matriarch of the Bridgerton family, mentions that her son, Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey), is on his honeymoon.
In the garden party in "Bridgerton" season three, episode one, Kate Bridgerton (Simone Ashley), Anthony's wife, comments that the married couple just returned from their honeymoon a week before the event.
So the events in "Queen Charlotte" are likely set between seasons two and three.
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Though Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury interact in previous seasons, they have never been as close as they are in "Bridgerton" season three.
This is likely a course correct after "Queen Charlotte." In the miniseries, we discover that Lady Danbury has been part of the Queen's personal circle since she came to England to marry King George (played by James Fleet and Corey Mylchreest).
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As with all "Bridgerton" seasons, Lady Danbury hosts the first ball of the social season in season three, episode one. The reason for this was explained in "Queen Charlotte."
In episode three of the miniseries, young Agatha Danbury (Arsema Thomas) uses her new position as the Queen's advisor to host the first ball without permission from the other families of London's high society. With help from Queen Charlotte (played in this series by India Amarteifio), Agatha is successful and is honored with the responsibility of hosting the first ball of every social season.
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In episode two, Queen Charlotte and the rest of London's high society attend a celestial-themed ball. While Queen Charlotte's star-themed outfit and jewelry may be on theme with the ball or a reference to how she's trying to find a new debutante who "sparkles," it could also be a subtle reference to her husband, King George.
In "Queen Charlotte," we learn that King George is passionate about astronomy and has a personal observatory at his royal house. Though King George is not seen in part one, this could be a small reminder of the monarch's presence in Queen Charlotte's life.
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In the main "Bridgerton" timeframe scenes of "Queen Charlotte," Violet Bridgerton and Lady Danbury become closer friends as they bond over being widows. In episode five, Violet confides in Lady Danbury that her "garden is in bloom," referring to her having sexual desires again. Violet has been single and grieving since the death of her husband, years before "Bridgerton" began.
By the end of the season, Lady Danbury encourages Violet to seek out a new lover. This might be why Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis), Lady Danbury's suave brother, is introduced in "Bridgerton" season three.
In season three, episodes three and four, Marcus and Violet bond over parenting and losing their previous partner. There is clear affection between the pair, and Marcus could be the new romantic partner that Violet is looking for.
