A very amusing photograph appeared on the Queen’s ROYAL WEBSITE. The photograph was taken at Balmoral and has Princess Elizabeth–age about 3–chasing a parrot with her grandmother Queen Mary standing behind her. I have spent my evening searching the story of this parrot. Really, it has been a delightful search and discovery.
King George V, when Prince of Wales, was given a pink-gray parrot from his beloved sister Victoria. He named the parrot Charlotte. To the chagrin of Queen Mary who despised the bird, Charlotte and his perch traveled everywhere with the King. Elizabeth Langford dedicates several pages in her writings about George V concerning this royal bird. The author was frustrated in her writings because she could not determine if CHARLOTTE had traveled to Australia when George V wemt there on a royal tour.
But when in Engliand, the King was never without his CHARLOTTE. The parrot ate breakfast on the royal table, sat on the King’s shoulder while the King did his Royal Red Boxes. I am sure the parrot could talk. What would he say? Perhaps GOD SAVE THE KING ?
The King loved his horses, especially a white pony named Jock who had been with the King at Sandringham the day he died. He also loved his terriers. But above all, he adored his parrot.
When the King died at Sandringham and brought to Westminster Hall for the Royal Lying in State, his beloved horse Jock was left with country folk in Norfolk, but CHARLOTTE was put in her cage and brought to London in the royal train with the Queen.
I have really enjoyed searching the history of this parrot which caught my attention on the Royal website. I am posting this small picture of Charlotte with Princess Elizabeth and Queen Mary. You will enjoy it as well.
I love trivia like this. It is the stuff which makes Kings and Queens people just like the rest of us. I hope you have enjoyed this little bit of history. Goodness, I missed the news and the chatter about health care–I had much more fun.
I am also posting a letter I found written by King George when young where he talks about Charlotte as if the bird is a member of the royal family. The parrot must have lived a long time because Charlotte was still with the King when he died in 1935 . Goodness.
Does anyone know what happened to CHARLOTTE? I read that an inquisitive American wrote to the Royal Archives at Windsor to learn the fate of Charlotte. I am tracking down the lady. When I find her, I will ask for a copy of her letter and will post it on this blog. Another fun search. I can’t wait to meet up with this lady with such an interest. I will keep you posted.
***I have found the lady who knew about Charlotte. Her name is June Gibson. She wrote to the Queen 25 years ago to see what happened to Charlotte. The Queen passed the inquiry on to the Royal Archives at Windsor who responded on the Queen’s behalf. Well, what happened to Charlotte? As we know, Queen Mary despised the parrot. As soon as the King was buried at St. George’s Chapel Windsor, the parrot was given to the housekeeper at Sandringham where it lived out its life in familiar surroundings. Thank you, Mrs. June Gibson, for your contacting the Queen. NOW IS THIS NOT A FASCINATING STORY, and it is all true!!!
Tom
http://www.londonconnection.com
This unbelieveably fasinating! I always wanted to know more about Charlotte’s life. Do you know where she is buried? Out of curiosity.. not that i’m going to go there. lol!!
Comment by Huw Wilson — March 26, 2010 @ 11:39 am
In fact, Both Jock the pony and Charlotte the parrot were in the funeral cortege of George V. It was the sight of Jock saddled as normal for the King following immediately behind the coffin which bystanders found the most moving moment during the procession.
One of the reasons George preferred his grandchildren to his own children when young is because they loved Charlotte and played with her.
Comment by Richard — October 27, 2010 @ 5:48 am
After the death of George V, Charlotte was adopted by the Duke & Duchess of
Gloucester. Old Prince Harry can be seen with Charlotte in the book “Queen Mary’s
Photograph Album”. Princess Alice mentions Charlotte in her memoirs as well.
There is a photo of Charlotte (allegedly) with their baby, Prince William, which
must have been taken after 1940. Although the light is poor in the photo, the bird
doesn’t look like a galah (which is what Charlotte was). After 1941, Charlotte’s
tracks disappear.
The present Duke of Gloucester may know something about what happened to
Charlotte, although I suspect all this was before his time.
Comment by Margaret — May 11, 2011 @ 9:07 am
The pink and grey parrot is a Galah, commonly found in Australia. They are popular as pets and great talkers. I thought this was a great story; old austere George V obviously loved animals and enjoyed their company.
Comment by Mary — January 17, 2012 @ 6:26 pm