The Origins and Significance of Gossip about Princess Augusta and Lord Bute, 1755-1756

‘Albion's Queen by All Admir'd’: Reassessing the Public Reputation of Queen Charlotte, 1761‐1818

“…15 Ultimately, Augusta was added to the Regency Bill, second only to Queen Charlotte, but discussions in the media reflected enduring popular discourse critical of Augusta's alleged relationship with the king's former prime minister, the earl of Bute. 16 For example, in May 1765, the Westminster Journal and London Political Miscellany emphasised that fears Bute would regain power through the Bill were unfounded, as the king himself had excluded the dowager princess of Wales from acting as a Regent. 17 In the early years of her reign as queen consort, Charlotte's apolitical image therefore contrasted strongly with that of the king's mother; while the prospect of Augusta acting as Regent provoked debate in the press, few concerns were raised about the possibility of the young queen taking on the role.…”