#3 of 20 star ojects - Queen Caroline Banner

At first glance the painted silk banner presented to Queen Caroline, may seem simple and possibly an odd choice for our 20 star objects, however as you delve deeper into its past, it unravels a truly remarkable tale.

Caroline’s Father was the ruler of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel in Germany, and her mother, Princess Augusta, was the sister of George III.  In 1794, she was engaged to her first-cousin and George III's eldest son and heir George, Prince of Wales.

Caroline’s relationship with George IV was soon in trouble, not only had they never met before marriage, he was still in love with Maria Fitzherbert who he had already illegally wed. George had only agreed to marry Caroline to help raise his allowance, and therefore lower his debts.
Caroline was often described as unclean, too ready to speak her mind and not suitable to rule as Queen.
However, the public disagreed and as her popularity grew, Georges declined.
Although a seemingly loveless marriage the pair had a child, Princess Charlotte of Wales. Shortly after Charlotte's birth, George and Caroline separated and her access to her daughter became restricted. Caroline’s maternal instincts led her to adopt several children during her lifetime, to try and fill the void left by the ever growing visitation restrictions relating to her own child. By 1806, rumours that Caroline had taken lovers and that the adopted children were in fact illegitimate children led to an investigation into her private life. Although the investigation concluded that there was "no foundation" to the rumours. Caroline's access to her Charlotte was even more restricted.

In time George IV became King but was desperate to ensure Caroline would not be his Queen, George hated her and insisted on a divorce, which she refused. A legal divorce was possible but difficult to obtain.  George attempted to divorce her by introducing the ‘Pains and Penalties Bill’ to Parliament, but Caroline was so popular with the masses, that it was withdrawn by the government. In July 1821, Caroline was barred from the coronation on the orders of her husband, so was never officially crowned.

The silk flag, on display in Trowbridge Museum, was presented by the people of Trowbridge to Queen Caroline months before her death, to mark the failure of the ‘Pains and Penalties Bill', which the king had hoped would enable him to divorce Caroline. It celebrated her acquittal from a charge of adultery.