Sophia of Hanover, so nearly a Queen

Princess Sophia of the Palatinate was a Granddaughter of King James VI of Scotland, also James I of England. Her mother was Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia.

She was heiress presumptive to Queen Anne but died two months before the monarch, (Anne was 49 and Sophia 83) so it was her son George who inherited the throne, becoming George I.

We have seen this beautiful portrait by Honthorst in books and online but this afternoon we’re able to get a much closer view of her at Ashdown House. In this painting she is aged about 20 and we think, rather lovely!