The film The Favourite is an early runner for Oscar glory, and casts a spotlight on the life and times of Queen Anne, the last reigning Stuart monarch. The trouble is, like most costume dramas, it is not simply just riddled with inaccuracies, but also gives an utterly misleading picture of the monarch, her domestic life and character. So here are some facts about Queen Anne that might help redress the balance.
Happy marriage
Queen Anne was happily married to George, Prince of Denmark. The Prince is now only remembered for ‘The Prince of Denmark’s March’ by Jeremiah Clarke, which is still a favourite at weddings today. In his lifetime, Prince George was acclaimed as the most boring man in Europe. Whenever addressed, he would always remark “Est-il possible?”, and this catchphrase gained him the nickname ‘Old Est-il Possible’. Nevertheless, he and Anne were devoted to each other, and she was deeply distressed at his death. Her friend Sarah Churchill showed scant sympathy to the bereaved Queen, which was one of the many reasons their friendship ended.
