I recently spent a day exploring Charlotte, North Carolina, which is called the Queen City in honour of its royal namesake: and here is a statue of the lady herself!

Initially founded as a hamlet in 1768, it was named in honour of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen Consort to George III, with her birthplace (Mecklenburg) giving its name to the county.

Though named in honour of British royalty, Charlotte made early steps for independence. On 20th May 1775, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was signed – more than a year before the national declaration.