The existence of these United States sprang from the disavowal of the British rule, represented by a king detested by many, with its hated policies and laws. This king was George III, who had to deal with a disease not understood at the time, and with mental health issues that today would be identified as bipolar disorder. What may not be so widely known is that for King George III as well as for Queen Charlotte, music was of the greatest importance.
His taste for the music of Handel was resolute and in his later years he would often recall with pride Handel's words, 'while that boy lives, my music will never want a protector'. And in 1764, an eight-year-old Mozart played for the king and queen. He subsequently dedicated six sonatas for the harpsichord with violin or flute accompaniment to the queen.
Like Charlotte, the king was proficient on the harpsichord as well as the pianoforte and the flute. Playing the flute in particular must have been a consoling occupation for the king as he often played to himself during recovery of his illnesses.