7 Key Moments That Explain Queen Charlotte’s Stoic Personality

1. Colin and Anthony have always been the best men on the show.

The Bridgerton family certainly knows how to raise ‘em. Colin is loyal to a fault and provides unwavering support to his sisters, and Anthony is an all-around genuine man that will go out of his way for anyone he loves. Need I say more?

2. ​Duke Hastings hating his dad is so fair.

After a second rewatch, I hate the Duke’s dad more. You’re telling me he couldn't care less about his wife in the midst of delivering his child? The man is cold and heartless, and how could you not think so after a second round of viewing when they flashback to little Simon – particularly after gaining a deeper understanding of Simon?

3. Penelope as Lady Whistledown is not so surprising the second time around.

Excuse my ignorance, but I never saw Penelope dropping her secret that she is the Lady Whistledown, at least the first time around. After a second viewing, all the signs were there, and I was shaking my head at my past self.

4. Is this a feminist show?!

We’ve got Sarah giving birth and dying to give a man what he wants, and then having a room full of women saddened by the very event, juxtaposed with a shot of the men cheering. After a rewatch, I have to say, the show portrays strong women all while highlighting the inequalities they faced at the time.

I didn’t catch it the first time around,, but the show truly leans on the women to drive the narrative and I never found myself particularly swayed by any one man. It’s refreshing to see how Bridgerton empowers its female characters, allowing them to challenge societal norms and assert their independence, which makes it feel like a modern feminist take on the past. Go Bridgerton!

5. ​I’ve learned quite a lot from Bridgerton.

While the show may not be entirely accurate, it had me Googling things non-stop the second time around. I’d like to share my learnings: things get pretty spicy in Bridgerton (it’s a show about courtship after all) so I couldn't help but wonder, did women shave their legs in 1813? Well, I looked it up so you don’t have to, and the answer is no! It wasn’t common at all. Boxing, however, was a thing back then. Who knew? Not me. And Queen Charlotte having a Pomeranian? Totally normal, the real Queen Charlotte had many that she absolutely adored.

6. ​Simon is a man for the woman.

I love Simon, there, I said it! He is so kind and understanding of Daphne and defended her furiously any chance he got, even during the time of their "fake" courtship, proving he’s everything and more for her. After a second rewatch, the flashback scene of his birth, and his mother’s death, destroyed me – it’s that very scene that reveals he’s burdened by childhood trauma. His guilt-stricken face highlights his determination to never become like his father. In the end, Simon’s struggles show a man who strives not to repeat his past – especially with Daphne. Sigh, Simon it was never your fault.

7. ​Simon and Daphne are a slowburn.

I’ll admit, I thought there was a lack of chemistry between Daphne and Simon the first go around. After my second time watching, their chemistry is impeccable and they compliment each other so well. I’m actually wondering how I ever thought the way I did beforehand?

8. This season perfectly sets up the forthcoming romance between Penelope and Colin.

The gestures, the flirting, and the little moments the writers gifted us, oh so well done.

9. ​The world build-up is so critical.

The first season of Bridgerton so beautifully captures the magical ride fans, unbeknownst to them at the time, are about to take in following seasons. We get acquainted with all of the Bridgerton kids, are introduced to the ensuing rivalry between the Featheringtons and Bridgertons, and last but certainly not least, we learn the rigid societal expectations of the 19th century, particularly through Daphne’s experience of finding a suitor. This season is so critical in laying it all out for viewers.

10. ​This is Eloise’s best season.

I love Eloise, she says what everyone's thinking and isn’t afraid to stick up to men. Amen, sister. Dare I say her banter with her sisters and others carried this season?

11. ​The writing is *chef’s kiss.*

The romance that gradually develops between Daphne and Simon allows viewers to not only connect with them, but provides a deeper look into the sibling dynamics within the Bridgerton family. The cherry on top of it all is the chaos of everyone and everything else ensuing while a mysterious gossip columnist generates tension throughout the entire season – what’s not to love?

12. ​There is no way no one caught on to Madame Delacroix.

The fake accent wasn’t fooling me even the first time around, but I guess kudos to her for not being caught by her important clients.

13. ​Jonathan Bailey. That's all.

Kidding of course, I really do have something to say – After watching the later seasons he looks comparatively and especially young in the first. Maybe it’s because I’ve also watched Wicked (a few times) recently and he looks so much … older? Bailey was a cutie in the first season, and although he was a hard sell in the first two episodes, he sure did grow on me.

Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek

Meet your newest 2026 obsession — and Benedict Bridgerton’s season 4 love interest (and, sadly, a victim of tragic circumstances), Yerin Ha. Ha will play Sophie Baek, or known to Benedict as the Lady in Silver.

Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton

Luke Thompson will once again portray the bubbly Benedict Bridgerton as our lead for season 4, where the fairytale begins.

Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton

He's loyalty in every form, Jonathan Bailey will reprise his role as Anthony Bridgerton in season 4. Fortunately for everyone — and I mean everyone — in the interim we were able to see Bailey grace our screens in Wicked, so this wait doesn’t hurt too much.

Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton

Claudia Jessie returns as Eloise Bridgerton, the fifth Bridgerton child and second daughter known for being strong willed and independent in her own right (go Eloise!).

Will Tilston as Gregory Bridgerton

Will Tilston is coming back in full swing as his character Gregory Bridgerton, the younger brother we’re all thankful we don’t have! In all seriousness, it’s always cute to see the good ol’ Gregory and Hyacinth banter from time to time.

Florence Hunt as Hyacinth Bridgerton

Florence Hunt returns as Hyacinth Bridgerton, undoubtedly the most outspoken of the Bridgerton bunch.

Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton

I found it perfectly fitting to place Violet Bridgerton, played by Ruth Gemmell, right under Lord Marcus Anderson, wink, wink!

Hannah Dodd as Francesca Stirling

Francesca Stirling, the sixth Bridgerton progeny, will be played by the one and only Hannah Dodd. On paper, Dodd’s Francesca doesn’t have the happily ever after she experiences in season 3 for long, but now that we’ve met Michaela Stirling, I’m holding out hope the writers will flip the script in season 4 – for Francesca’s sake.

Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton

Ah, Colin Bridgerton, the (fictional) man that you are. Needless to say, Luke Newton will return as Colin Bridgerton in season 4, although I’m not sure he’ll ever one-up his season 3 performance, because who doesn’t fall in love with an iconic friends-to-lover storyline?

Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton

Of course, Nicola Coughlan is returning as Penelope Bridgerton. The woman who is far too much like me — and who’s also a (not-so-secret) gossip columnist in her free time — is of course coming back. All jokes aside, Penelope stole the show, no pun intended, in season 3 and has quite the story line to pick back up in season 4.

Masali Baduza as Michaela Stirling

The incredible Masali Baduza is the chosen one to portray the gender-swapped Michaela Stirling in season 4. We got a short and sweet glimpse of Michaela at the tail end of season 3, but she’s definitely here to stay!

Victor Alli as John Stirling

Victor Alli returns as Francesca's first husband and Michaela Stirling's cousin, John Stirling.

Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury

Adjoa Andoh will return as Lady Danbury in the fourth season. We certainly saw more of Adjoa, deservedly so, as the quick-witted Lady Danbury was a more central role in the series’ third season.

Julie Andrews as Lady Whistledown

The ever so cherished and brilliantly talented Julie Andrews is making her way back for season 4 to voice the infamous Lady Whistledown. Even though Nicola Coughlan’s Penelope took over voicing the role, showrunner Jess Brownell told Glamour that, “We’re playing around in season 4 with ways that we can explain why it’s still Julie Andrews. I think it’s just—it’s in Penelope’s head the way she officially reads it to herself as she writes.”

Lorraine Ashbourne as Mrs. Varley

Lorraine Ashbourne will star as Mrs. Varley. The sharp-tongued Featherington family housekeeper will return, (hopefully) continuing to offer unwavering support to the family and comedic relief for fans, including myself.

Daniel Francis as Lord Marcus Anderson

Daniel Francis plays Marcus Anderson, the estranged brother of Agatha Danbury. Here's to seeing what's next for Lord Marcus and Violet...

Martins Imhangbe as Will Mondrich

The character who some fans consider to be the most noble of them all, Martins Imhangbe returns as Will Mondrich.

Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun

Sound the alarm, we have a new cast member for you and her name is Lady Araminta Gun, who will be played by Harry Potterstar, Katie Leung. Twice-married & twice-widowed with two daughters in tow, Araminta is a rather blunt woman who doesn’t respond well to anyone who stands in her way.

Michelle Mao as Rosamund Li

Michelle Mao stars as Rosamund Li. Beautiful, vain, and eager to please her mother, Rosamund is Araminta’s eldest daughter. Thankfully for her mother — and not so thankfully for Sophie Baek — Rosamund narrows in her sights on Benedict Bridgerton this upcoming season.

Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich

An outspoken woman after my own heart, Emma Naomi returns as Alice Mondrich, the not-so-subtlewife of Will Mondrich.

Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte

Golda Rosheuvel stars as Queen Charlotte in Bridgerton season 4, and hopefully for a long time as fans speculate an impending death for her character, given the real-life timeline. Again, let’s hope they rewrite history here.

Hugh Sachs as Brimsley

Hugh Sachs will return as the Queen’s right hand man, Brimsley. Who doesn’t love this endearing man?

Polly Walker as Portia Featherington

Every story needs a nuanced mother and daughter relationship as it’s the gift that keeps on giving, or in this case, the story that keeps on giving. Polly Walker always, and will continue to, deliver in her performance as Portia Featherington.

Isabella Wei as Posy Li

I’m very excited for this new cast member, Posy Li, who will be played by Isabella Wei. Posy is Rosamund’s younger, chatty sister. Though, said chattiness often has her putting her foot in her mouth. I can only imagine the scenarios she’ll get her family into, and all I have to say is yes, please!

1. Actually Use Your Planner In 2025

We're not buying pretty planners just so they can collect dust on our desks or coffee tables anymore. Corry Frazier and Melissa Pepin want you to get serious because they feel "it starts with planning." They don't mean the kind you eventually flake on either.

"Effective planning is key to maintaining balance and reducing burnout. Whether you're mapping out tasks, meetings, or events, dedicated time for preparation ensures focus and reduces stress," they say. In other words, "the more intentional you are in planning, the more productive you'll be," according to them.

Ever since I've been blocking out my tasks by hour in planner, I've been able to get more done without feeling overwhelmed by splitting my time between writing and being in mommy mode. Frazier and Pepin suggest that you "set weekly planning sessions" that consist of "30-60 minutes each weekend to map out your upcoming week."

This eventually "reduces decision fatigue, fosters a sense of control, and helps you start Monday with clarity and purpose," they add. Yes, this is a sign that you'll be breaking up with the dreaded 'Sunday scaries' if you follow their advice. "You'll feel proactive and grounded rather than reacting to the week as it unfolds," they agree.

2. Embrace A "Fake Commute" When Working From Home

One of Kayla Baum's tips is to switch up your routine if you're a remote worker. Rolling out of the bed at the last minute before logging on for work sounds appealing until you realize you're uninspired by your days. But, what is a "fake commute?"

"It mimics the structure of a traditional commute to establish a boundary between work and personal life. This could mean taking a walk around the block, doing a 10-minute guided meditation, or even just changing clothes at the end of the day," Baum mentions.

Based on her experience, she's found that "it works because it provides a psychological buffer, helping to separate work and home life." She feels it's "crucial for positive mental health and boosting productivity at work (and at home)."

You can also create a separate work space that's not in your bedroom to get work done! That's helped me tremendously so I'm not sleeping and working in the same area.

3. Focus On High-Impact Tasks

Similar to planning your work days as best as you can, Frazier and Pepin want you to "prioritize the tasks that align with your goals." To minimize distractions, they want you to ask yourself:

• What is the most effective use of my time right now?

4. Stop Making Daily Decisions Hard

Tasks like your morning routine or figuring out what you'll eat don't have to take up a chunk of your time anymore. "Use productivity hacks, such as pre-planning meals or laying out weekly outfits," suggest Frazier and Pepin. They feel that "small routines like this eliminate unnecessary choices" to "make mornings smoother."

According to them, it's "especially helpful for families juggling multiple schedules." I couldn't agree more because I've spent so many frazzled mornings trying to make decisions about what myself and my toddler would wear or eat instead of planning them. With the help of my fiancé, we've cut so much time in half by being prepared ahead of time instead of 'winging it' before work.

5. Understand What Your Boundaries Are And Set Them

Worried that you'll be considered 'mean' if you tell your manager or coworkers what your boundaries are at work? Depending on your environment, it's 100% understandable. However, you're human and there's no reason you should be over-performing to your detriment. Frazier and Pepin say, "Set boundaries and communicate clearly. Adopt Brené Brown's mantra: 'To be clear is to be kind.'"

They encourage you to not only "be upfront about your schedule to manage others' expectations," but it's also so you can "avoid over-commitment." Say it with me: I will not make false promises just to appease others. Why?

Frazier and Pepin say, "Don't be afraid to say no to side projects or anything that doesn't align with your goals."

6. Ignore Emails Sent After Your Work Hours

I've been guilty of sending an email after work to acknowledge that I saw something, but I never expect other people to feel obligated to respond until the next business day. On the flip side, I've felt pressured to answer something that feels timely and I've gone to sleep thinking about the sender's potential follow-up email.

"Just because a coworker chooses to work late at night doesn't mean you must answer. One helpful trick is to include your working days and hours in your signature, explaining that responses may be delayed outside of those times," Frazier and Pepin say. They even have a prompt you can use if you're not sure what to type:

• "My working hours are [Your Working Hours, e.g., 9 AM - 4 PM ET]. Please note that these may differ from your local time zone. I appreciate your understanding and will respond to emails during my working hours."

I can't wait to start utilizing this...for research purposes only 👀.

7. Please, log off from work when it's time.

Unless you're scheduled to work late, take the time to log off from work and not think about it until the next day. Baum says, "Commit to fully logging off once the workday ends—no 'quick email replies' or sneaking in work over the weekend." I'm eyeing you Ms. "I just need to send a quick email" while you're on vacation or spending time with your significant other.

Baum says creating this separation works because "fully disconnecting allows your mind to reset and recharge" which ends up "making you more efficient, creative, and focused during actual work hours." According to her, you'll eventually "improve personal well-being" and "enhance long-term work performance."

As soon as my work day is over, I make a beeline for the shower so I can decompress. After that, I take my time with my skincare routine and keep my phone out of reach so I'm not tempted to look at anything work-related. I'm not always successful, but I've noticed a difference in my mood since making this shift.

8. Speak Up When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

And if you're 100% drained because you've been trying to tackle work tasks during and after hours, Frazier and Pepin want you to speak up. "If you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload, approach your manager with honesty and a focus on solutions," they suggest. Here's another prompt of theirs you can use:

• "I've been noticing that my workload has extended beyond regular hours, and maintaining balance is becoming challenging. Could we discuss prioritizing tasks or adjusting expectations to ensure I can deliver quality work without compromising my well-being?"