Was this Britain’s first black queen?

Charlotte is intrigued by its namesake. Some Charlotteans even find her lovable. “We think your queen speaks to us on lots of levels,” says Cheryl Palmer, director of education at the Mint museum. “As a woman, an immigrant, a person who may have had African forebears, botanist, a queen who opposed slavery – she speaks to Americans, especially in a city in the south like Charlotte that is trying to redefine itself.”

Yet Charlotte (1744-1818) has much less resonance in the land where she was actually queen. If she is known at all here, it is from her depiction in Alan Bennett’s play as the wife of “mad” King George III. We have forgotten or perhaps never knew that she founded Kew Gardens, that she bore 15 children (13 of whom survived to adulthood), and that she was a patron of the arts who may have commissioned Mozart.

Here, Charlotte is a woman who hasn’t so much intrigued as been regularly damned. In the opening of Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities she is dismissed in the second paragraph: “There was a king with a large jaw, and a queen with a plain face, on the throne of England.” Historian John H Plumb described her as “plain and undesirable”. Even her physician, Baron Christian Friedrich Stockmar, reportedly described the elderly queen as “small and crooked, with a true mulatto face”.

“She was famously ugly,” says Desmond Shawe-Taylor, surveyor of the Queen’s pictures. “One courtier once said of Charlotte late in life: ‘Her Majesty’s ugliness has quite faded.’ There was quite a miaow factor at court.”

Charlotte’s name was given to thoroughfares throughout Georgian Britain – most notably Charlotte Square in Edinburgh’s New Town – but her lack of resonance and glamour in the minds of Londoners is typified by the fact that there is a little square in Bloomsbury called Queen’s Square. In the middle is a sculpture of a queen. For much of the 19th century, the sculpture was thought to depict Queen Anne and, as a result, the square was known as Queen Anne’s Square. Only later was it realised that the sculpture actually depicted Charlotte and the square renamed Queen Square.

Hold on, you might be saying. Britain has had a black queen? Did I miss something? Surely Helen Mirren played Charlotte in the film The Madness of King George and she was, last time I looked, white? Yet the theory that Queen Charlotte may have been black, albeit sketchy, is nonetheless one that is gaining currency.

If you google Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, you’ll quickly come across a historian called Mario de Valdes y Cocom. He argues that her features, as seen in royal portraits, were conspicuously African, and contends that they were noted by numerous contemporaries. He claims that the queen, though German, was directly descended from a black branch of the Portuguese royal family, related to Margarita de Castro e Souza, a 15th-century Portuguese noblewoman nine generations removed, whose ancestry she traces from the 13th-century ruler Alfonso III and his lover Madragana, whom Valdes takes to have been a Moor and thus a black African.

It is a great “what if” of history. “If she was black,” says the historian Kate Williams, “this raises a lot of important suggestions about not only our royal family but those of most of Europe, considering that Queen Victoria’s descendants are spread across most of the royal families of Europe and beyond. If we class Charlotte as black, then ergo Queen Victoria and our entire royal family, [down] to Prince Harry, are also black … a very interesting concept.”

That said, Williams and many other historians are very sceptical about Valdes’s theory. They argue the generational distance between Charlotte and her presumed African forebear is so great as to make the suggestion ridiculous. Furthermore, they say even the evidence that Madragana was black is thin.

But Valdes suggests that the way Queen Charlotte is depicted in Ramsay’s 1762 portrait – which US artist Ken Aptekar is now using as the starting point for a new art project called Charlotte’s Charlotte – supports the view she had African ancestors.

Valdes writes: “Artists of that period were expected to play down, soften or even obliterate undesirable features in a subject’s face. [But] Sir Allan Ramsay was the artist responsible for the majority of the paintings of the queen, and his representations of her were the most decidedly African of all her portraits.”

Valdes’s suggestion is that Ramsay was an anti-slavery campaigner who would not have suppressed any “African characteristics” but perhaps might have stressed them for political reasons. “I can’t see it to be honest,” says Shawe-Taylor. “We’ve got a version of the same portrait. I look at it pretty often and it’s never occurred to me that she’s got African features of any kind. It sounds like the ancestry is there and it’s not impossible it was reflected in her features, but I can’t see it.”

Is it possible that other portraitists of Queen Charlotte might have soft-pedalled her African features? “That makes much more sense. It’s quite possible. The thing about Ramsay is that, unlike Reynolds and Gainsborough, who were quite imprecise in their portraits, he was a very accurate depicter of his subjects, so that if she looked slightly more African in his portraits than others, that might be because she was more well depicted. How can you tell? She’s dead!”

Shawe-Taylor says that a more instructive source of images of Queen Charlotte might well be the many caricatures of her held at the British Museum. “None of them shows her as African, and you’d suspect they would if she was visibly of African descent. You’d expect they would have a field day if she was.”

In fact, Charlotte may not have been our first black queen: there is another theory that suggests that Philippa of Hainault (1314-69), consort of Edward III and a woman who may have had African ancestry, holds that title.

As for Valdes, he turns out to be an independent historian of the African diaspora who has argued that Peter Ustinov, Heather Locklear, the Medicis, and the Vanderbilts have African ancestry. His theory about Charlotte even pops up on www.100greatblackbritons.com, where she appears alongside Mary Seacole, Shirley Bassey, Sir Trevor McDonald, Zadie Smith, Naomi Campbell and Baronness Scotland as one of our great Britons. Despite being thus feted, Charlotte has not yet had much attention, say, during the annual Black History week in Britain.

Perhaps she should get more. The suggestion that Queen Charlotte was black implies that her granddaughter (Queen Victoria) and her great-great-great-great-granddaughter (Queen Elizabeth II) had African forebears. Perhaps, instead of just being a boring bunch of semi-inbred white stiffs, our royal family becomes much more interesting. Maybe – and this is just a theory – the Windsors would do well to claim their African heritage: it might be a PR coup, one that would strengthen the bonds of our queen’s beloved Commonwealth.

Or would our royal family be threatened if it were shown they had African forebears? “I don’t think so at all. There would be no shame attached to it all,” says the royal historian Hugo Vickers. “The theory does not impress me, but even if it were true, the whole thing would have been so diluted by this stage that it couldn’t matter less to our royal family. It certainly wouldn’t show that they are significantly black.”

What’s fascinating about Aptekar’s project is that he started by conducting focus group meetings with people from Charlotte to find out what the Queen and her portrait meant to citizens of the US city. “I took my cues from the passionate responses of individuals whom I asked to help me understand what Queen Charlotte represents to them.”

The resulting suite of paintings is a series of riffs on that Ramsay portrait of Charlotte. In one, a reworked portion of the portrait shows the queen’s face overlaid with the words “Black White Other”. Another Aptekar canvas features an even tighter close up, in which the queen’s face is overlaid with the words “Oh Yeah She Is”.

Among those who attended Aptekar’s focus groups is congressman Mel Watt, one of very few African-Americans in the House of Representatives and who represents the 12th district of North Carolina which includes Charlotte. “In private conversations, African-Americans have always acknowledged and found a sense of pride in this ‘secret’,” says Watt. “It’s great that this discussion can now come out of the closet into the public places of Charlotte, so we all can acknowledge and celebrate it.”

What about the idea that she was an immigrant – a German teenager who had to make a new life in England in the late 18th century?

“We were a lot more immigrant-friendly in those days than we were friendly to people of colour,” says Watt. “We all recognised that we all came from some place else. But there was always a sense of denial, even ostracism, about being black. Putting the history on top of the table should make for opportunities for provocative, healing conversations.”

Does Valdes’s theory conclusively determine that Queen Charlotte had African forebears? Hardly. And if she had African forebears, would that mean we could readily infer she was black? That, surely, depends on how we define what it is to be black. In the US, there was for many decades a much-derided “one-drop rule”, whereby any white-looking person with any percentage of “black blood” was not regarded as being really white. Although now just a historical curio, it was controversially invoked recently by the African-American lawyer Alton Maddox Jr, who argued that under the one-drop rule, Barack Obama wouldn’t be the first black president.

In an era of mixed-race celebrities such as Tiger Woods and Mariah Carey, and at a time when in the US, the UK and any other racially diverse countries mixed-raced relationships are common, this rule seems absurd. But without such a rule, how do we determine Charlotte’s ethnicity? If she is black, aren’t we all?

It’s striking that on US and UK census forms, respondents are asked to choose their own race by ticking the box with which they most closely identify (though there can be problems with this: some people in Cornwall are angry that the 2011 census form will not allow them to self-define as Cornish because only 37,000 ticked that box in the 2001 census and that figure has been deemed too small to constitute a separate ethnic group). We will never know which box Queen Charlotte would have ticked, though we can take a good guess. But maybe that isn’t the most important issue, anyway.

For congressman Watt’s wife Eulada, along with some other African-Americans in Charlotte, the most important issue is what the possibility that Queen Charlotte was black may mean for people in the city now. “I believe African-American Charlotteans have always been proud of Queen Charlotte’s heritage and acknowledge it with a smile and a wink,” she says. “Many of us are now enjoying a bit of ‘I told you so’, now that the story is out.”

But isn’t her heritage too sketchy to be used to heal old wounds? “Hopefully, the sketchiness will inspire others to further research and documentation of our rich history. Knowing more about an old dead queen can play a part in reconciliation.”

And if an old dead queen can help improve racial trust in an American city, perhaps she could do something similar over here. Whether she will, though, is much less certain.

Birth and Childhood

As Simon was born, his father waited outside, only concerned with whether or not he would have an heir. When his mother cried out, his father ran inside the room, where Simon was then born. After learning it was a son, he took Simon out to show him off while Sarah died of a hemorrhage.

When Simon was four and still not speaking clearly due to a stutter, the Duke ordered Simon out of his sight, saying Simon was dead to him. Simon continued to be schooled by nursemaids, though his father refused to see him. When he was six, Lady Danbury came to visit and was surprised to find him alive, as his father had told her Simon was dead. When she learned of his stutter, she took him as a ward, promising to help him overcome his stutter on the condition that when he stepped into the light, he would be worthy of the attention he commanded. By age 11, Simon was speaking well and came to visit his father to show him. He had also written his father letters, which had gone unacknowledged. The duke re-iterated Simon’s uselessness and sent him away again.

Years later, Simon came to his father’s bedside when he learned his father was dying. The duke was glad to see him coming to claim his title, though Simon simply told him he would never marry or sire an heir. He pledged that the line would die with him.^[2]

1813 Social Season

Right at the start of the 1813 social season, Simon returned to London to settle the affairs of his recently deceased father. Upon his return, Lady Danbury invited him to a ball she was throwing, though he had no interest in socializing. At the ball, he ran into Daphne Bridgerton, who didn’t realize who he was until her brother, Anthony, introduced them, as he knew Simon from their time together at Oxford.

Simon made it clear to Anthony that he had no interest in finding a wife or ever marrying. He intended for his title to die with him. Despite this, Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton arranged a match between Daphne and Simon, believing it would be a good pairing. As part of this arrangement, Simon dined with the Bridgertons. He was surprised at the family dining together, even the children, and amused by the conversations that passed across the table. He and Daphne talked at the table and agreed they were not right for each other.

At a subsequent event, Daphne was avoiding Nigel Berbrooke, a man her brother wanted her to marry but in whom she had no interest. Nigel followed her outside and cornered her in the garden. She punched him to get him off just as Simon arrived in the garden. When Daphne realized she was alone in the garden with two men, she realized she might have to marry Nigel to avoid a scandal. Instead Simon proposed that they pretend to be growing closer, as it would get the mamas off his back and raise her social capital, make her more desirable to suitors. She agreed and they returned to the event together.^[3]

Simon and Daphne negotiated carefully how often they should be seen together and how many dances they should share together. As predicted, Daphne’s increased social capital that came with courting a duke brought in many other potential suitors. Despite this, Anthony continued to insist that Daphne should marry Nigel Berbrooke, not believing Simon a serious suitor.

While sparring with Will Mondrich, a boxer and friend of Simon’s, Simon was interrupted by Anthony, who sparred with Simon instead, trying to get him to back off Daphne so she would marry Nigel. Simon said Nigel was hardly a saint, though Anthony believed he was better than Simon.

At the next event, Simon and Daphne continued with their arrangement, much to Anthony’s annoyance. Simon and Anthony argued over Daphne until they were interrupted by Nigel, who restated his interest in Daphne. However, Simon then revealed to Anthony what had happened with Nigel in the garden and Anthony ordered Nigel never to speak to Daphne again. Nigel then confronted Simon outside and they got into a physical fight after Nigel taunted Simon about his father. Nigel then went to get a marriage license, reminding Daphne that he could ruin her reputation by telling everyone about them being in the garden alone together. Daphne then resigned herself to that outcome, until she and her mother learned that he had an illegitimate child he refused to provide for and used that information to get him to flee London. With him gone, Daphne and Simon continued their arrangement.^[2]

Simon and Daphne’s arrangement continued. She said she needed it to continue until she found a husband and he agreed. At a ball, Daphne told Simon she wasn’t impressed by the suitors there. Just then, Prince Friedrich of Prussia arrived and engaged with Cressida Cowper until the queen brought him over to introduce him to Daphne.

Simon and Daphne went to see the artwork he had donated that previously belonged to his father. While looking at the painting which was said to be his mother’s favorite, he and Daphne had a charged moment. When a noise from outside broke the spell, they quickly pulled apart from each other. Simon then decided not to attend the opera and instead went home for the night.

While walking with Daphne, Simon told stories of his time at school with Anthony. During this walk, Daphne also talked to Simon about the expectations of the marital bed. He said it was a natural extension of when you touch yourself. When she was confused, he clarified that she could touch herself between her legs and carry on until the feeling grew and she reached a release.

Soon afterward, Lady Danbury chastised Simon, saying if he was spending this much time with Daphne, he either needed to propose or get out of the way so she would not miss out on another promising match, such as a prince. The next day, Simon and Daphne met outside a tea shop and he abruptly ended their arrangement, confusing Daphne. He then gave orders to expedite his departure from the city. When he told Lady Danbury of his early departure, she called him a fool.^[4]

Simon went to Will to tell him he was leaving England early. Will begged him to stay for an upcoming fight, where he wasn’t favored to win and wanted Simon’s support. Simon agreed to stay. At the fight, he noticed Daphne sitting with the prince. Instead of watching the fight, he spent much of the match watching Daphne instead. They ended up watching each other while cheering for opposite sides.

After the match, Anthony went to Simon and said he misjudged Simon. He realized that Simon’s intentions with Daphne were always honorable and now Daphne has a prince in line.

Lady Danbury came to see Simon off, but was upset with him for letting Daphne go. She wanted him to go for love, but he wasn’t convinced it was a good idea.

Simon then went to Daphne to say goodbye to her. She told him she was going to marry the prince and be happy, but he knew she was putting on a front. They went to go back inside the ball, but they ended up kissing. They continued until Anthony spotted them and knocked Simon to the ground. He ordered Simon to marry Daphne immediately, but Simon insisted that he could not. Anthony then challenged him to a duel at dawn. This upset Daphne, who didn’t like that Simon would rather die in a duel than marry her.

Simon went to Will’s to get a drink. He explained to Will about the duel, which he said an apology wouldn’t get him out of. The two of them went out at dawn for the duel. They meet with Anthony and Benedict. Simon tried to apologize to Anthony but Anthony refused to accept the apology and found it meaningless. They did their paces and faced each other. Simon aimed at the sky while Anthony fired at Simon. Just as he fired, Daphne rode in between them. They feared for a moment that she’d been hit, but she was unharmed. She had come to tell Simon that he had to marry her or she’d be ruined as Cressida Cowper had seen them in the garden alone together. Simon repeated that he couldn’t marry her and privately told her that he couldn’t give her children. He said she must allow her brother to finish the duel. Daphne then surprised him by saying she’d marry him anyway.^[5]

Following this engagement, Simon spent the night drinking before meeting Daphne, her mother, and Lady Danbury in the morning for a walk. On the walk, people noticed that the couple didn’t seem as happy as the purported to be, though Lady Bridgerton chalked it up to nerves.

Simon then met with Anthony to get the special license to marry immediately. Anthony brought up Daphne’s dowry, but Simon immediately refused it, saying he wouldn’t be paid to marry Daphne and found the whole concept insulting. He said the money could be placed in trust for Daphne to spend as she saw fit as her well-being was now his responsibility and he took it very seriously. The archbishop then arrived and told them they hadn’t been granted the special license. When they told Lady Danbury and Lady Bridgerton about this, Lady Danbury said they simply needed to appeal directly to the queen, who was hurt over Daphne choosing Simon over Prince Friedrich. They just needed to convince her they were in love and they said they could do that.

That night, Simon went to Will’s house and got drunk. He felt guilty that his impulsive actions forced Daphne to have to fight for a marriage she didn’t really want. When he woke the next morning, he invited Will and Alice to his wedding.

When they went before the queen, Daphne started off lying about how it was love at first sight for them, but then Simon interrupted and confessed to the whole ruse, but surprised Daphne when he confessed that love had come to them slowly, after they first developed a friendship. This speech swayed the queen and the two of them were quickly married. After a reception, the newly married couple got in their carriage to leave. Simon told Daphne that as the trip back to his estate was too long for one night, they would spend the night at an inn. He’d reserved them separate rooms, unsure if she’d want to stay with him. However, later in the evening, Simon went to Daphne’s room and they had sex.^[6]

After their night at the inn, Daphne and Simon continued their trip to their new home. When they arrived, the housekeeper, Mrs. Colson, had a tour planned, but Simon said he had his own plans and whisked Daphne off to their bedroom. Daphne eventually pulled herself away to tend to her new duties as the duchess. While she went to tend to that, Simon also got to work. At the end of the day, they came together again for dinner. Simon was shocked at how formal the setup was, so Daphne moved closer to him so they could have a conversation as they ate. Their dinner was quickly interrupted when they started kissing and ended up going outside to have sex. Their passion continued over several days.

Simon and Daphne went to a fair. They met with several villagers and sampled their wares. When they learned that a farmer’s rent had been tripled, threatening his livelihood, Daphne asked Simon if there was anything they could do about it. Simon then got to work on the books. He told Daphne that everything had been mismanaged in his absence, which made more work for him. He set up an office in the east wing so he could work there. One night, Daphne came to Simon, who was working late. They ended up having sex in his office and he used a cloth after pulling out, rousing her suspicion. The next time they had sex, Daphne positioned herself on top of him and refused to move, forcing him to ejaculate inside of her for the first time. This led to a fight, as Daphne was angry that Simon had lied to her and Simon was angry that she had taken advantage of him. This led to them sleeping in separate bedrooms for the first time in their marriage.^[7]

Things remained tense between Simon and Daphne, with each of them doing things intentionally to irritate the other. They communicated through their servants. When Daphne received news that her family was involved in a scandal, she immediately prepared to return to London to be with them. Simon insisted on joining her, saying it would be weird if he didn’t.

When they arrived back in London, Daphne immediately went to see her family while Simon went to spar with Will. Will quickly realized he was working out his anger and asked him what was wrong, though Simon denied anything.

As part of the plan to improve her family’s appearance, Daphne secured them an invitation to the queen’s luncheon. Simon attended with them and told those who asked that they were making an effort to conceive an heir. When they were alone again, Daphne noted how easily he’d lied about that.

Simon went to the club, where he and Anthony shared a drink. Anthony then asked Simon what he’d done, as he’d noticed the change in Daphne and knew she wasn’t capable of messing up so seriously herself. The argument escalated to a physical fight, leading to Simon and Anthony being pulled off one another.

When Simon turned in for the night, Daphne came to his room to tend to his wounds. She sat in his lap and start kissing him, asking if a child would really be such a horrible thing. He told her his father cared more about continuing the line than he cared about Simon or his mother. Daphne said continuing to stand by the promise he made to his father meant he hated his father more than he loved Daphne.

Simon and Daphne attended a concert together, but parted ways as soon as they arrived until the show started. As they watched, Daphne had a sudden realization and left her seat. While she was determining that her courses had started, Simon cried in his seat.^[8]

Daphne and Simon posed for their portrait, painted by Henry Granville. As they posed, Simon assured Daphne that as soon as the portrait was completed, he’d be leaving London. Daphne asked him to delay his departure to the end of the season and asked him to attend a final ball with her. He agreed. They had a moment of connection during this conversation, where Henry said they were the picture of devotion.

Simon ran into Daphne one evening and she asked him what his father did to make him make such a pledge, something that denied him happiness. He simply told her he was doing it for her own good and she’d be better off without him.

Simon then attended Will’s fight and was upset when Will decided to throw the fight in order to secure his family’s financial future through gambling. He was upset that Will didn’t come to him when he needed more money, but Will wanted to take care of his own family.

Next Daphne invited Simon to a family gathering to welcome Francesca home. At the meeting, Simon easily charmed the youngest Bridgertons.

As they prepared to start the ball, Simon and Daphne negotiated their final dance together. During the night, they mostly stayed apart and did their own thing. Finally, they met for their dance. However, shortly after it began, it started to rain. Simon tried to pull Daphne to shelter, but she insisted on continuing to dance in the rain. After their guests all sought cover, Simon and Daphne started talking and Daphne explained that she understood why he made that vow to his father, but she still wanted him to choose to be happy.

Simon later said he didn’t know how to be the man Daphne needed him to be, but he wanted to be happy and didn’t want to be alone. They decided to work through it together. They started kissing and had sex. When the moment came, he did not withdraw.

Simon and Daphne told her family that they had decided to stay in London for a while longer.

Some time later, Daphne gave birth to a son. Simon said that whatever they named him, it needed to start with an A, to maintain the family tradition.^[9]

Personality

Having newly returned to London, the Duke of Hastings finds himself the primary topic of conversation amongst marriage-minded misses and ambitious mamas alike. Yet, for reasons of his own, our devastating Duke has zero interest in his title, society, or taking a wife.

He is reserved and keeps his emotions close to his chest, is morally upstanding and values honour. He is kind and humorous, willing to poke fun with Daphne when at balls.

Relationships

Romantic

Daphne Basset

Simon came to London and attended his godmother’s opening season ball, where he literally bumped into Daphne Bridgerton, his friend Anthony’s younger sister, who had just debuted on the marriage market, and the Queen’s newest diamond. They faked a courtship in order for Daphne to attract suitors after Anthony scared all her suitors away, which resulted in Lady Whistledown writing scandalous gossip about her, and also so that Simon would seem unavailable to the other debutantes hoping to become his Duchess. However, they eventually fell in love for real. They have one child together, Augie.

Familial

Simon’s mother, Sarah Basset, died in childbirth, and his father died shortly before the start of the 1813 social season. Simon had a strained relationship with his father. Throughout Simon’s childhood, his father lived almost exclusively in London and rarely returned to Hastings House, leaving only the staff to care for Simon. His father only cared about having a son, so he could carry on the family line. He called Simon his biggest mistake because he had a stutter. On his father’s deathbed, Simon vowed to never have children so the Hastings line would die with him.^[7]

Simon’s primary mother figure is Lady Danbury, a close friend of his deceased mother.

Friendships

Anthony Bridgerton

Simon has been friends with Anthony Bridgerton since their time at Oxford together. Things were tense between them for a while because Anthony was against Simon courting Daphne and found them alone together. After Daphne told Anthony and Simon that Cressida had also spotted them alone together in the garden, she said she would have to marry Simon to avoid a scandal. They did so and Anthony and Simon repaired their friendship.

Will Mondrich

He spars with Will Mondrich, and also gets along well with Will’s wife, Alice Mondrich. Will and Alice also attend his and Daphne’s wedding.

Rivals

Nigel Berbrooke

Nigel Berbrooke was the only one showing interest in Daphne after Anthony scared away all her suitors. He eventually got Anthony to agree to promise him Daphne’s hand in marriage, and tried to corner her in the garden to convince her to accept him, when Simon, who was nearby, witnessed her punch him out cold. It was after that that he offered Daphne a way out of marrying Nigel — he would pretend to court her in order to attract better suitors to her.^[3] Nigel was upset when Simon’s scheme worked and he suddenly found himself competing with a crowd of new gentlemen for Daphne’s hand. He was even more upset as well as angered when Simon revealed to Anthony what Nigel had attempted in the gardens with Daphne, which resulted in the viscount calling off the arranged marriage and forbidding Nigel to speak to Daphne again.

Nigel caught up with Simon and tried to convince him to revoke what he said, stating that he was already a duke with money, title, and standing, and that Nigel needed Daphne, the season’s diamond, to get some respect. When Simon refused, Nigel accused him of already being with Daphne, insulting her. Simon warned him to cease, but Nigel continued, going on to insult Simon’s late mother, which finally caused Simon to snap and punch Nigel in the face.

Despite Nigel’s later attempt to blackmail Daphne into marrying him, Violet Bridgerton and her staff undermined his plans by getting the secret of his illegitimate son from his mother’s maid and then spreading it around the ton, forcing him to flee, and Daphne eventually ended up marrying Simon^[2].

Prince Friedrich of Prussia

In the middle of Simon’s ruse with Daphne, Queen Charlotte introduced her to her nephew, Prince Friedrich, hoping to match the two of them. Simon saw clearly that the Prince was interested in Daphne, and came to believe that he was the perfect husband for her. Lady Danbury told him that if he wasn’t serious about Daphne, he needed to break it off before she lost her chance with the Prince, and so Simon ended his ruse with her, pretending to no longer care, even though he was jealous after Daphne welcomed Friedrich’s attentions as a suitor.^[4]

Despite his reservations, Simon approached Daphne when Prince Friedrich started to show signs that he would propose to her. Simon asked her if she truly believed that the prince was the best man for her, which upset Daphne for questioning her choices. She stormed through the garden, and he followed her, ending in them sharing a moment of passion in the darkness, when they were caught by Anthony, who commanded Simon to marry Daphne to restore her honor. Despite Simon refusing, he and Daphne ultimately agreed to be married,^[5] and she broke it off with Prince Friedrich, who returned to Prussia shortly afterwards.^[6]

Professional

Career

Notes and Trivia

• Actor Regé-Jean Page drew inspiration from classic Romantic poet Lord Byron to craft the character.
• In the book The Duke and I, on which the first season is based, Daphne and Simon’s firstborn is a girl named Amelia, not a boy. In fact, the couple would not have their first son until their fourth child, named David.
• According to Simon, Anthony once let a farm animal into Simon’s dormitory as a prank, and Simon had to help get it back out.^[4]
• According to Lady Danbury, Simon is quite fond of gooseberry pie, a dish that the Bridgerton cook is renowned for.^[3]
• The diamond- and emerald-encrusted enamel brooch that Simon wears on his lapel belonged to his late mother Sarah.^[10]
• Luke Newton, who portrays Colin Bridgerton, and Jonathan Bailey, who portrays Anthony, both originally auditioned for the role of Simon.^[11][12] Tom Payne from Prodigal Son also auditioned for the role, but was told he was not tall enough.^[13]

Childhood and Father’s Death

Anthony, the firstborn son and child of Viscount Edmund Bridgerton and his wife Violet, grew up the heir to his father. Seven more siblings followed after him.

In 1803, he watched his father get stung by a bee and die seconds afterward. He also watched his pregnant mother fall to pieces as a result. Upon his father’s death, Anthony became the new Viscount. When his mother went into labor, the doctors pressured him to choose for them to save either Violet or the baby. Even after both mother and child survived the birth, Anthony watched his mother despair over losing her husband.^[2]

He attended Oxford where he met and befriended Simon Basset and Thomas Dorset.

1813 Season

On the day of the start of the 1813 social season, Anthony arrived late as he’d been away having a clandestine rendezvous with his mistress, Siena Rosso. He finally joined the family as they arrived to present Daphne in front of Queen Charlotte.

Anthony had to attend the Danbury ball to chaperone his sister. When Daphne tried to socialize with the men in attendance, Anthony pointed out the flaws in each one, scaring them off her. When Daphne ran into Simon Basset while avoiding Nigel Berbrooke, Anthony introduced them, as he knew Simon from Oxford. He then forced Daphne to leave the event early. The next day, Anthony came over to meet Daphne’s callers with her, further scaring them off. Daphne feared she was ruined by Lady Whistledown’s declaration that Marina Thompson, not Daphne, was the season’s Incomparable, and confronted Anthony about ruining her prospects. Anthony said Daphne could still find a good match because she was a Bridgerton, but Daphne said she wished she was not.

Anthony socialized at the club with Simon, who was adamant that he did not want to marry and never would. When he realized that his mother and Lady Danbury had done some matchmaking between Simon and Daphne, he informed his mother that Simon would never marry and was therefore a bad match. His mother in turn confronted him about his affair with Siena, forcing him to end things with her. He then informed Daphne that, over her objections, she was to marry Nigel Berbrooke.^[3]

Daphne’s Courtships

Anthony continued to pressure Daphne to marry Nigel, even sending other callers away. When Daphne expressed her preference for Simon, Anthony insisted that he wasn’t a serious suitor and would never marry her.

Anthony then confronted Simon, saying Daphne was already engaged, so Simon should back off. Simon in turn told Anthony that Nigel wasn’t worthy of Daphne. Despite this, at the next event, Daphne and Simon immediately started to dance together. Anthony sent Benedict to claim Daphne’s next dance. With Daphne occupied, Anthony went to Simon again. Nigel interrupted, saying he was still interested in marrying Daphne. However, Simon then mentioned that Nigel got the bruise on his eye from Daphne, who punched him to get him off her. Anthony was horrified by that revelation and forbade Nigel ever to speak to Daphne again.

Despite this, Nigel acquired a license for the two of them to marry, which he presented to Anthony and Daphne, threatening to ruin Daphne’s honor unless she married him. Anthony decided he and Nigel would have to duel to end things, though his mother forbade it. Daphne also said Nigel could speak about Daphne before the duel and ruin her, so she would therefore have to marry Nigel. Violet prevented this by discovering gossip about Nigel that they spread around town, causing Nigel to flee London. Anthony promised Violet that he would handle things better in the future.^[4]

Anthony and Simon started to get along better, though Simon maintained his lack of intent to marry. Anthony also felt the pressure of his title, and Siena finally realized she needed to stop falling for his empty promises. His mother gave him a list of eligible ladies, and he promised to consider them.^[5]

Anthony escorted Daphne to a fight, where he quickly disappeared so she could sit with Prince Friedrich and get to know him better. After they talked, Friedrich came to Anthony to speak to him privately.

When their mother found out Anthony took Daphne to a fight and let her out of his sight, she was scandalized, but was pleased when Anthony came in and told her and Daphne that Friedrich had asked his permission to propose to Daphne. He told Daphne he had no objection to it.

Duel with Simon

At a party, Anthony was angry to find Daphne and Simon out in the garden alone together. Anthony knocked Simon down, and then said he must marry Daphne immediately. Simon refused, so Anthony said they would have to duel. Anthony and Daphne then abruptly left the party.

Anthony chose Benedict as his second and prepared to duel. He went to Siena, saying he would either die in the duel or kill Simon, at which point he’d have to flee and if he had to flee, he wanted her with him. They spent the night together and in the morning, Anthony and Benedict arrived for the duel. Just as they prepared to duel, Daphne rode in, nearly getting shot herself. She informed them that Cressida Cowper had seen her and Simon in the garden, so they needed to marry or Daphne’s reputation would be ruined. Simon still tried to refuse her, eventually telling her that he couldn’t give her children, something he knew she desperately wanted. Daphne declared that she wanted to marry Simon anyway.^[6]

Anthony went to find Siena, but Genevieve told him she’d gone and refused to tell him where she went.

Daphne and Simon’s Wedding

Anthony then met with Simon to get the special license to marry Daphne immediately. Anthony brought up Daphne’s dowry, which Simon flat out refused to accept, saying he wouldn’t be paid to marry Daphne and found the very idea insulting. Instead, the money would be put into trust for Daphne. He believed Daphne’s well-being was his responsibility and he would support her, as he took the duty very seriously. Their conversation was interrupted when the archbishop arrived, and told them he couldn’t grant the license as he didn’t see a need for it.

Daphne and Simon then had to appeal to the queen directly, as Daphne’s rejection of her nephew is why their license was rejected. They got the license, and Anthony walked Daphne down the aisle to marry Simon. After the wedding, Anthony told Daphne about Simon refusing the dowry, and said it would be put in trust for her to use as she saw fit, perhaps for their children, not knowing that Simon had told Daphne they couldn’t have any. At the mention of children, Daphne teared up and excused herself.^[7]

Colin’s Scandal

After Daphne left, Colin announced his engagement to Marina, shocking the rest of his family. Anthony confronted Colin about this, but Colin said he kept it from them on purpose, because he knew how they’d react. Anthony asked if he compromised Marina’s honor, and he said he had not. Colin said he didn’t need Anthony’s permission, but wanted his approval. Anthony refused to give it, but accompanied Colin and their mother to dine at the Featheringtons. Lady Featherington suggested they could marry quickly and take advantage of the nice weather to travel, but Anthony thought a longer engagement might be more prudent given Colin’s age.^[8]

When news broke that Marina had arrived in London pregnant, her engagement with Colin was abruptly ended. When Colin asked why he couldn’t visit Marina in the aftermath, Anthony said Lady Whistledown’s word being law was the only reason people didn’t believe Colin was the father of her baby. When Daphne arrived, Lady Bridgerton said it could help them as people would move on after seeing the family still had the favor of the duke and duchess.

Anthony went to the club and was drinking with Simon. After some time, Anthony confronted Simon, saying he knew Simon had done something to mess things up with Daphne, as he knew his sister was incapable of messing up so badly on her own. Simon said he was just trying to do right by Daphne, but the conversation quickly devolved into a fight, which became physical, leading to them having to be pulled off each other.

Siena’s Rejection and Decision to Marry

When Anthony saw Colin sad over Marina, he apologized for being harsh, but said Colin would get over her and it would be like she never existed for him, though Anthony admitted his own situation was a work in progress. He later went to the concert and was upset to see Siena with another man. He and Siena made eye contact as the show continued.^[9]

Anthony went to a fight with Benedict and Colin. At the fight, he saw Siena with another man. They stared at each other during the fight until they each left the room and had sex somewhere hidden away.

They resumed their affair together. He asked her to go to a ball with him, as he was a viscount and his sister a duchess, meaning no one would dare say anything. When he went to pick her up, he was surprised to see a man open the door. Siena then explained that she needed to ensure her own future because no one else would. Anthony needed to let her go. After this, Anthony told Daphne that he was committing himself to finding a wife, with no more distractions.^[10]

1814 Season

At the start of the 1814 social season, on the day his sister, Eloise, was meant to make her debut, Anthony waited with his family outside Eloise’s door while she got ready. When she finally emerged, she warned them all not to say anything. True to what he told Daphne at the end of the previous season, Anthony started his search for a wife. First, he thought of all the attributes he wanted in a wife, then he began interviewing the eligible young ladies. He quickly became frustrated when none of them met his strict requirements.

One morning, he went out for a ride and spotted a woman riding astride her own horse. He called out to her, thinking she might be in trouble, but got no response. He followed her for a while until she jumped over a hedge. She looked back at him and they acknowledged each other. Anthony then approached her on his horse. She said she didn’t mean to concern him, and insisted she wasn’t lost, that she was just on her way back to Mayfair, which she said was up ahead. He knew she was lost, because that wasn’t the right direction. Nevertheless, she took off on her horse.

At Lady Danbury’s ball, the first of the season, Anthony wasn’t impressed with the crowd, but found himself swarmed with ladies after his mother loudly announced that he was searching for a wife. He danced with several ladies before taking a break to step outside, where his friends thanked him for declaring his intent to marry and drawing the attention away from them, though he said it would be their turn soon. He also told them he wasn’t looking for love, just a woman with desirable qualities to mother his children, but the women at the ball were falling short. As the others left, he again met the woman who was riding her horse, eavesdropping on their conversation. She scolded him for his high standards, and said his own character was lacking enough that a woman who met his standards might not accept him, then left, shocking Anthony.

At the queen’s ball, Benedict asked if there was anyone there he hadn’t rejected yet. Anthony said he would just marry whoever was named the season’s diamond. After Eloise inadvertently charmed the queen, Benedict asked Anthony what he’d do if Eloise were named the season’s diamond. When Edwina Sharma was named the diamond, Anthony approached and asked her to dance, which she accepted. As they danced, he asked her the questions he’d asked all the other young ladies. Her answers pleased him, so he asked to speak to her father. She told him her father was dead, so he needed to speak to her sister. He was shocked that her sister was the woman he met horse riding: Kate Sharma. When Kate saw him, she quickly pulled Edwina away. Despite this, Anthony told Violet he would marry her.^[11]

Royal Races and Lady Danbury’s Soiree

Anthony told Benedict that Edwina would suffice as a wife. He was choosing his wife with his head, not his heart, because of his love for his family. He also said that Kate wouldn’t deter him. True to that, he went to Lady Danbury’s to call on Edwina, only to find himself at the end of a very long line. He spoke to Kate, saying he wanted to take Edwina to the Royal Races. Kate told him she already had an escort to the races, and suggested Edwina might be free in December, if she wasn’t married by then. Anthony went back home and told his family they were going to the races.

At the races, Anthony learned that Will Mondrich was opening a gentlemen’s club, and he invited Anthony, Benedict, and Colin to come to the grand opening.

Anthony approached Edwina at the races, even though she was there with Lord Lumley. He played up the closeness of his family as an excuse for why he hadn’t called on Edwina. Then he suggested that a gentleman would offer the ladies a refreshment to get Lumley out of the way. With Lumley gone, he took a seat between Edwina and Kate, who had caught the eye of Thomas Dorset. He and Edwina chatted happily until the race was about to start. Then he started to talk to Kate about the horses. He was betting on Nectar, but Kate told him he hadn’t accounted for several things that she thought made High Flyer the most likely winner. True to that, High Flyer won the race. Kate gloated, saying she’d never bested a viscount before. When Edwina said that Nectar reminded her of a horse she used to adore, Anthony took her to get a closer look. This ended when Kate interrupted, pulling Edwina away, because she realized Anthony had purposely sent Thomas Dorset to distract her from Edwina. Anthony said he meant no harm, and only wanted to spend time with Edwina.

Anthony went back home, where he practiced fencing with his brothers and told them he knew his duties and only sought to fulfill them. Colin suggested that he turn his attention to someone else, but Anthony refused to let Kate keep him from getting what he wanted.

Anthony purchased a horse and took it to Edwina as a present. She thanked him for the gesture, but said she preferred animals that could sit on her lap. Kate told Anthony the horse Edwina had mentioned was from a novel.

When Anthony saw that his family was dressed up, he asked them about it. They said there was a soiree at Lady Danbury’s, but Anthony wasn’t invited. He knew it was Kate’s doing, but Violet told him to let that be a lesson to him.

Anthony went to Will’s club, where he told Benedict he needed to talk to him. He asked Benedict to teach him how to read a poem he’d found. Benedict said the poem he’d chosen was terrible and began talking about poetry and women. Anthony liked what he said, and told him to write it down.

Anthony then took his words to Lady Danbury’s soiree. He started to recite the poem, but then admitted they weren’t his words. He told Edwina he might not be able to display passion or love, but he’d never lack in action or duty. He continued to speak to Edwina, but also kept watching Kate.^[1]

Trip to Aubrey Hall

When the Bridgertons went to Aubrey Hall, Anthony invited Edwina and her family to come ahead of the other guests in order for the families to get to know each other better. When they arrived, Anthony also reminded Violet that he needed her ring and she retrieved it for him. She gave it to him after he said Edwina would make the perfect viscountess.

Anthony and his siblings played their typical game of Pall-Mall, starting with bickering over who would pick their mallet first. They decided to let their guests choose first and Kate took the mallet Anthony typically preferred, leaving him with a chipped pink mallet as the others rushed to grab theirs. As the game started, Anthony struggled, but blamed his poor performance on being considerate of Edwina. When a turn left Kate in the position to send Anthony’s ball into the woods, she took it, only to find her own ball sent in the same direction. Rather than leave the game and admit defeat, they went to search for their balls. They found them side by side in a bog. Kate said that they could just grab them out and no one would know, but Anthony knew that was her testing his character, and she would immediately tell the others if he did so. As Anthony contemplated the best way to get his ball out, Kate waded into the muck and hit her ball out. Anthony followed suit with his own ball. Kate went to leave, but found herself stuck. Anthony tried to help her, but they both ended up falling into the mud. As they escaped, Anthony asked Kate what he had to do to earn her favor, and she told him she only wanted her sister to be happy. Then she used her next turn to hit his ball away again. When he saw that it landed near his father’s grave, he paused. When he heard Daphne celebrating her win, he declared the game over and left the woods.

After the game, Edwina and Anthony had a pleasant conversation and that night, he talked to Daphne, who was surprised that he was pursuing Edwina. She admitted to having no real objection to her and said if Edwina was the one who made him unable to think about anyone else, she was happy for him.

The next day, Anthony visited his father’s grave. While he was there, his mother came and they talked about how she was emotionally absent after his death and how a lot fell to Anthony when he was so young. She saw how he built up walls after his father’s death. He said that he wanted a marriage without love to avoid heartbreak and grief like the family had experienced when Edmund died. At dinner, while conversing with Edwina, Anthony kept looking at Kate. Eventually, Lady Danbury asked him to make a toast. Though Anthony intended to propose to Edwina, he caught sight of Kate, and backed out.

Realizing he’d upset Edwina by not proposing, the next morning, Anthony assured Kate he still had plans to do so and the previous night just wasn’t the right time. Kate felt he was just making excuses. While they talked, a bee flew near them and Anthony began to panic when it landed on Kate and even more when it stung her. When he started to hyperventilate, she put his hand on her chest to show him that she was okay and he slowly calmed down. Then he leaned in toward her, but a horse whinnying interrupted them and they pulled away from each other and ran in opposite directions.^[2]

As other guests started to arrive at Aubrey Hall, Anthony fretted, saying it was a mistake to invite Edwina’s family to come early. Wanting Kate and Anthony to get along, feeling their tension was a barrier to Anthony proposing, Edwina suggested that Kate join the men on a hunt, despite Anthony’s objection. Some time into their hunt, Kate became restless because they hadn’t found anything and took off on her own. Anthony followed her and found her aiming her gun. He started to argue with her about her going off on her own and tried to correct her grasp on the gun. As he went to correct her, he inhaled her scent. The moment was interrupted when they heard the other men approaching and rejoined the group.

Anthony got up in the middle of the night and found Kate in the library. She was unable to sleep because of a storm. They talked about their fathers and Anthony revealed that his father had died of a bee sting, which Kate realized was why her being stung affected him so much. Things grew tense between them until a clap of thunder broke them apart.

The next morning, Daphne asked Anthony about Edwina, because she suspected they didn’t know each other well enough. Anthony just said she’d become meddlesome without Simon around and she shouldn’t concern herself.

At the ball, Anthony danced with Edwina. Once the dance was over, Edwina set up Kate and Anthony to dance. As they danced, Anthony asked if she’d give her blessing if he asked for it and Kate said she just wanted her sister to be happy. She also told him she’d be returning to India as soon as her sister was married. As soon as the song ended, Anthony left abruptly, confusing Edwina, who had been watching. Kate went to find Anthony and found him in his office, where they argued. Anthony believed Kate was trying to keep him from Edwina. They agreed that they hated each other, but stepped closer to each other. They nearly kissed, but startled apart when the door opened and Daphne entered. When she saw them, she left and Anthony followed her. Daphne said the situation was similar to when Anthony found her with Simon the year before. She knew that Anthony had affection for Kate, despite Anthony’s denial. After the conversation, Anthony said he knew what she needed to do.

As the Sharmas prepared to leave, Anthony took the ring and proposed to Edwina, who happily accepted.^[12]

Wedding Plans and Meeting the Sheffields

Anthony and Edwina talked to the queen about their wedding plans. Anthony said he wanted a modest family affair, but Edwina was displeased. The queen offered to host it herself as she credited herself with matching them up in the first place.

Anthony then started preparing for the wedding, saying that even with the queen hosting, they needed to be prepared to entertain.

As they waited for Edwina with the jeweler, Mr. Brookes, who was there to resize the ring to fit Edwina, Anthony talked to Kate, who said she felt it was inappropriate for him to go forward with the engagement given what had happened between them. Anthony claimed that nothing had happened between them, though Kate reminded him that they’d be obliged to marry if anyone other than Daphne had caught them. She denied that being what she wanted. Mr. Brookes then suggested they could use Kate’s hand to size the ring, as she and Edwina sometimes shared gloves. After Mr. Brookes put the ring on Kate’s finger, Anthony rubbed his finger over it, saying his father gave it to his mother before they married. They startled apart when they heard Edwina and Mary approaching. Lady Danbury then came in and told them Mary’s parents were in London. She proposed inviting them to the engagement dinner. Anthony and Edwina then went to promenade, chaperoned by Lady Danbury and Kate.

As they walked, Edwina and Anthony watched Kate and Thomas Dorset, who were also walking together. Edwina thought they made a lovely couple and hoped he might be able to convince Kate to stay in England, though Anthony was less certain. Anthony continued to watch Kate as she socialized with Dorset and even went on a boat ride with him. When they returned, Edwina and Anthony went over to talk to them. Anthony said that Dorset’s knot wouldn’t hold and re-tied it before offering his hand to help Kate out of the boat. Their hands lingered together until she pulled away, which startled him and sent both him and Dorset into the water. Anthony angrily removed his jacket and cravat and lifted himself out of the water.

When Violet heard that the Sheffields had returned to town to meet Anthony and Edwina, she told him she couldn’t stand back and watch him marry a woman he didn’t seem to have any affection for. She wanted all of her children to know the joy of an exceptional marriage as she had. He said he couldn’t dishonor Edwina by ending the engagement, but Violet said Edwina could and probably would if she knew Anthony’s true feelings.

At the dinner, the Sheffields invited Edwina and Anthony to their home. Anthony accepted the invitation, but then the Sheffields insulted Mary’s rejection of marrying the man they’d found for her, and brought up the dowry they had set aside for Edwina if she married English nobility. When they insulted Kate, Anthony snapped, and said he wouldn’t stand for it, then demanded that they leave. Once they were gone, Anthony said he and his mother would be leaving as well.

As they walked out, Kate ran after them, begging to speak to Anthony. Anthony sent his mother home ahead of him and stayed to talk to Kate, who told him that Edwina had no idea about the dowry. Anthony said he believed that and felt Kate had put the entire scheme together. Kate denied any scheming. Anthony said it might be best to call off the engagement. Kate was upset at him for even suggesting it, though Anthony blamed Kate and her lack of support for the match. He also said that his father raised him to be honorable, but his honor was hanging by a thread having to be around her. They started to lean in toward each other, but he pulled back before their lips could touch. He told her marrying Edwina would mean they were bound together forever and he’d spend his entire marriage wanting Kate and dreaming of her. He asked if that was the future she wanted for them then left without waiting for her answer.

Anthony and Kate met up again and Anthony said he would talk to Edwina and end their engagement. Kate told him to keep his word and marry her as soon as he could, that the feeling between them would pass. He said he’d see to that and rode away from her.^[13]

Aborted Wedding

The night before his and Edwina’s wedding, Anthony drank and played pool at Will’s club with Benedict and Colin. He lamented having to fulfill his duties while Benedict and Colin got to explore their options more. Despite getting married, he assured them that almost everything would stay the same in his life.

As Benedict helped Anthony get ready for the wedding, Daphne came in. She explained that she was late because wasn’t sure it would go forward. She told Anthony that Edwina deserved to know the truth. Anthony kicked Benedict out of the room and told Daphne that he’d gone too far to turn back because it would ruin Edwina and scandalize their family. He also told her that he and Kate had decided there would be nothing more between them. Daphne wished their father was alive because Anthony changed after he died, stopped laughing and never cried. She told him he could still choose to be happy, but he didn’t believe that was true.

Anthony entered the church and waited at the altar for Edwina. However, as Kate entered, Anthony watched her. As the ceremony started, he imagined Kate in Edwina’s place. As Anthony prepared to repeat his vows, a bangle dropped from Kate’s wrist. When he bent down to grab it and put it back on Kate’s wrist, Edwina watched the interaction. She stopped the wedding and ran out, followed by Mary and Kate.

As his family speculated on why Edwina had left, Anthony became overwhelmed and walked out. He went to talk to Edwina and asked if it was just a delay or if she was calling it off entirely. Edwina said she was still thinking about it. Anthony said he was still intent on going through with it, despite the interruption. She asked if he loved her and he said that he underwood her and sympathized with her. He also said Kate would have no role in their future, as she’d be returning to India. All Edwina had to do was decide to marry him. She said she needed time to think, so Anthony left her to that.

Anthony then went to Kate, who told him to leave her alone in her refuge. He instead asked her to talk to Edwina for him, but Kate refused. The two of them shared a charged moment before she left the room.

Later, he got a note from Kate asking her to meet him at the church. He arrived to find that he and Kate had actually both been summoned by Edwina. She told them she wouldn’t be marrying Anthony because it would be betraying herself. She had realized that Kate had given her everything Kate herself wanted, which wasn’t what Edwina wanted. She walked out, leaving the two of them alone together. The two of them talked for a moment about failing their duties, then Anthony leaned in and kissed her.^[14]

Harmony Ball and Kate’s Accident

The morning after the aborted wedding, Violet said they family needed to work through the consequences as a united front and would promenade together. Anthony agreed and said they’d leave within the hour. However, as they promenaded, they were shunned by the other members of the ton. He and Violet then met with Lady Danbury and the Sharmas to make a plan to restore both families’ reputations. They decided to throw a ball to prove there was no ill will between them. Anthony and Kate objected, but were overruled. After seeing them interact, Violet and Lady Danbury also ordered them to to stay away from each other for the entire ball to avoid people seeing the obvious attraction between them. Anthony left the room, followed by Violet. He promised to play his part in the plan, but she asked what he planned to do afterward, how he would marry. He said the family line didn’t end with him and admitted he made a mistake by asking Edwina to marry him. But he was certain the plan would work because Violet and Lady Danbury would make sure of it.

Anthony visited Benedict at the art academy. Benedict told him to stop punishing himself and that they’d all seen what was between him and Kate. He just needed to change the plan he had. Anthony dismissed his comments and left.

Ahead of the ball, Anthony visited the Sharmas and brought them flowers. Edwina gave him the cut indirect, but Violet reminded her that they needed to appear to enjoy each other’s company when others were watching. They went to the art gallery together, where Anthony asked Mary for forgiveness for what he’d done. He never meant to cause problems for her family. Mary admitted that she’d let too much fall to Kate after her husband’s death. Anthony then found Kate and subtly spoke to her, asking her to talk. She said they had nothing to talk about. They had done something terrible and should be ashamed of it.

On the night of the ball, Anthony and his family prepared for their guests, but were shocked when no one other than the Sharmas came. Violet was prepared to cancel the whole thing, but Anthony invited the younger kids to come down and dance with them. After a lively dance, Violet expressed how strange it was that no one believed their story. Lady Danbury noticed that the maids were reading the latest Whistledown and suggested asking them. It was then that they learned that Lady Whistledown had reported that Eloise was associating with political radicals.

Anthony left the house after the party had dispersed and found Kate in the gazebo. They argued and he tried to get her to leave, but she said she wouldn’t take orders from him. After a very tense moment, they ran to each other and kissed, then had sex. Afterwards, Anthony fell asleep and when he woke up, Kate was gone. He retrieved the engagement ring from his drawer, then went to find Kate. He went to Lady Danbury’s, but the footman told him Kate wasn’t there and her maid that one of the horses was also missing. Anthony rode out to find Kate and came to her just in time to watch her horse get startled and rear back, dumping her on the ground. He called out and rode over to her.^[15]

Anthony rode to Kate and covered her with his jacket. He discovered that she was bleeding from her head, so he picked her up and carried her to a waiting horse-cart. Once back at Lady Danbury’s, he carried her up to her room, where a surgeon examined her. Anthony blamed himself and left.

While Kate recovered, Anthony looked over his family’s books and asked Colin about a large withdrawal he’d made. Colin said he was planning to invest some money with Jack Featherington, which frustrated Anthony. When Benedict and Eloise defended Colin, Anthony began insulting all of them until they all left. Once they were gone, Violet asked how Kate was doing and he said he didn’t know because he hadn’t been to see her.

Anthony was relieved to tears when Violet told him Kate had woken up. Violet said it was unthinkable to watch the one you love die. She was sorry that he was with his father that day and for how she acted afterward. She wished she could go back and change it. When Anthony said he didn’t think he could see Kate again, Violet said that despite the pain Edmund’s death caused her, she wouldn’t trade the life they had. She told Anthony not to lose Kate.

Anthony went to see Kate and said he was happy she was awake. She thanked him for bringing her home safely. He apologized for taking liberties with her and asked her to marry him. She stopped him, saying he didn’t have to propose because she was going back to India once she resolved things with Edwina. Lady Danbury had offered to host Edwina and Mary for another season, and Kate was sure they’d do fine on their own. Anthony accused her of running away, so she asked him to leave.

One evening, while Anthony was tending to business, Gregory came to see him. He was convinced his Latin teacher thought he was stupid because he yelled at him. Anthony said that wasn’t true. He was simply scared of Anthony, so he was scared of Gregory not succeeding because Anthony asked too much of all of them. Gregory asked if he was anything like their father. Anthony said yes and shared memories of their father with him. Then he told Gregory that their father was the best man he knew.

Anthony attended the Featherington Ball, where he suggested to Kate that they keep their distance. She said maybe they shouldn’t. She asked if he’d ask her to dance and he asked if she’d say yes. He led her onto the dance floor and they danced together while everyone watched. Despite all the eyes on them, they kept dancing. After they finished, they held hands until Portia herded everyone outside for a surprise.

Outside, Benedict told Anthony he was going to drop out of the Academy because he knew Anthony had bought his spot. Anthony told him to paint if he wanted to paint, as it was a talent of his. He also had a gift to see what others needed, even if they couldn’t see it themselves. Anthony apologized for taking too long to recognize that.

After talking to Benedict, Anthony found Kate in the garden and asked if she was still planning to leave. Kate said she had her family’s blessing and there were no obstacles preventing it. Anthony told her he didn’t visit her after her accident because he was so afraid of losing her. He admitted he loved her since they first raced together. After his confession, she said she loved him too. Anthony said he wanted a life that suited them both and that he wanted to marry her. She said there would never be a day he didn’t vex her. As fireworks started, Kate accepted his proposal and they kissed.

Six months later, Anthony and Kate were enjoying a morning in bed when she reminded him they needed to meet his family for Pall Mall. They joined the family and argued over the mallet of death. While they were arguing, Newton picked up one of the balls and ran off with it. Anthony said that Newton took Kate’s turn because he’s her dog, but Kate said Newton was his dog through marriage. Their arguing turned to embracing and Anthony suggested they could go back upstairs. Kate said that would be admitting defeat and she wouldn’t do that.^[16]

1815 Season

Anthony and Kate returned from their honeymoon for Francesca’s debut. Colin returned from traveling just in time to join them.

After the debut, Anthony took Benedict and Colin for a drink at Mondrich’s, where he welcomed Colin home and thanked Benedict for handling the estate while he was gone.

Anthony and Kate struggled to continue their intimacy with his large family in the same house as them, so after Lady Danbury’s ball, Kate suggested they extend their honeymoon, saying it would give her more time between running the Sharma home and having to run the Bridgerton home. It would also allow them to focus on producing an heir. It would also give Violet more time being the viscountess, a role she loved.^[17]

Anthony and Kate returned home with the news that Kate was pregnant. However, they didn’t immediately share the news with their family as they learned that Colin and Penelope were engaged. Anthony went with Benedict and Colin to drink and toast to their marriage. Then he told Colin he needed to tell Penelope that he loved her so she would know.

In bed, Anthony and Kate decided to keep the news to themselves for a while longer, deciding that it wasn’t the right time to share with everything else going on.

At Colin and Penelope’s betrothal party, which Kate planned, Francesca introduced them to John. He tried to tell them a story, but struggled with his words and was unable to get through it.

Later, Anthony started a game of charades in the drawing room. While the game was going on, he and Kate decided it was time to share their news. They told Violet and Lady Danbury first and they were both happy, but when they went to tell everyone else, they were interrupted by Cressida Cowper standing up and declaring herself Lady Whistledown, followed by Penelope collapsing.^[18]

The night before Colin and Penelope’s wedding, Anthony and Kate talked to Colin at Violet’s request. They told him that marriage was hard work and encouraged him not to let whatever thing he’d learned about her ruin their whole relationship, as they’d been friends for years. The next day, they attended the wedding.

At the wedding breakfast, Anthony and Kate talked about Edwina, who was happy in India with her new husband. Kate expressed how much she missed her home in India and Anthony suggested they go there. He said if they left right away, they’d have time to get settled before the baby came. When she questioned them having the baby away from their home, he said that the baby would be a Bridgerton, but they would also be a Sharma and he wanted them to know about that and he wanted him to learn their culture so they could teach it to their child together.

When Anthony noticed Violet talking to Marcus and commented on it, Kate reminded him that their family was happy and urged him not to take that for granted.

The party abruptly ended when the queen came in and dismissed everyone except the Bridgertons. She knew one of them was Lady Whistledown and urged her to reveal herself. Anthony insisted that if something like that were happening under his roof, he would have known and stopped it. The queen backed off, but said she’d figure it out soon.^[19]

Personality

The quintessential English nobleman, Anthony is the eldest Bridgerton sibling and dutiful head of the family since assuming his late father’s title of Viscount. Endlessly handsome, charming and rich, he’s quite the catch on this year’s marriage mart. But if he has any hope of fulfilling his oftentimes overwhelming duty of marrying and producing an heir, Anthony must first learn to temper his pursuit of pleasure.

Relationships

Romantic

Kate Bridgerton

Anthony was intrigued by Kate from the start, but decided to court her younger sister after he promised himself not to marry for love due to his past.^[11] Both of them mutually agreed that the other was annoying, irritating and “vexing”.^[12] Despite Kate not fitting into the criteria of the stereotypical woman who is marriage material and their arguments, Anthony found himself falling in love with her and the two of them ultimately married.^[16]

Siena Rosso

Siena is an opera singer with whom Anthony had a relationship. Anthony had a long-term affair with Siena, even paying for her housing, but she was an escape for him from the pressure of the title, and that led to their break-up.^[3] Anthony was heartbroken when she chose to be with another man instead of him. Even after they patch things up, they broke up for good because he was trying to make her something she isn’t nor what she wants. The next season, he burned a pamphlet advertising Siena’s performance, letting her go.^[10]

Edwina Sharma

Before marrying Kate, Anthony was engaged to her sister, Edwina. After being declared the ‘diamond’ of the season by the Queen, Edwina was pursued by many, including Anthony. He originally chose to court her since she is the epitome of a girl that is marriage material. However, his love for Edwina’s older sister caused her to break off the engagement.

Familial

Edmund Bridgerton

Anthony had a close relationship with his father. He greatly admired him, telling Gregory that their father was the bravest man he’d ever met in his life but also funny and sensitive. He used to go to hunt with him often, and seeing how his father was stung by a bee and passed away traumatized him, to the point of overreacting when he saw Kate being stung by a bee. The pain he had over his father’s death made him change completely and refused to talk about Edmund for years and became distant with his family.

Violet Bridgerton

Anthony fought with his mother when she tried to match Daphne with Simon. Violet then fired back that she knew about his affair with Siena, and he wasn’t taking his responsibility as the head of the family seriously.^[3] When she found out Anthony promised Daphne to Nigel Berbrooke, she was also outraged, like Daphne. Anthony figured out that Violet forced Berbrooke to flee town, and apologized for his conduct. Violet said she knew he had to be head of the family, but she could handle Daphne’s debut.^[4] When Anthony decided to marry the next season, Violet was excited, and tried to match him with several ladies. However, Anthony rejected them, saying they would never be able to head of the Bridgerton family. Violet scolded him, saying he would never find someone with such high standards.^[11] Anthony told Violet he would marry Edwina, but when she discovered Kate had deliberately kept him away, Violet said it was his fault, because he refused to find love.^[1] Violet encouraged him to look for love, but Anthony refused, saying he remembered how grief-stricken Violet was after Edmund died, and refused to put anyone else through that.^[2] Violet knew Anthony didn’t love Edwina, and tried to encourage him to tell her that, but he refused.^[13] Violet apologized to Anthony for being absent after Edmund’s death, wishing she could take it back, but she encouraged him to pursue love with Kate.^[16]

Benedict Bridgerton

Benedict is his younger brother and the oldest of his siblings. Much like Daphne and Eloise, Anthony and Benedict are the exact opposite of each other. While Anthony is serious, stern and dedicated to his duty, Benedict is funny, passionate, flirtatious and sensitive. Despite their differences, they are quite close with each other, seen when Anthony chose him to be his second when he challenged Simon to a duel and gave him specific instructions in case of his death. Anthony trusts enough to ask him some advice about poetry in order to keep courting Edwina. He was also willing to help Benedict to follow his dream, making a large donation to the Royal Academy Schools to ensure Benedict gets accepted. When he was going to marry Edwina, Anthony chose Benedict as his best man.

Colin Bridgerton

Anthony is close with Colin and they get along pretty well. While he doesn’t always agree with Colin’s decisions, such as being engaged with Marina or his travels around the continent, they’re frequently seen conversing and doing rounds of fencing along with Benedict. By the 1815 season their relationship’s improved. Anthony is more casual and enjoys teasing Colin, and also are often seen drinking together.

Daphne Basset

Anthony was overprotective of Daphne after her debut, scaring off many suitors. She told him that he was ruining her chances to be married. Soon after, he arranged her marriage to Nigel Berbrooke, despite her protests.^[3] Anthony regretted his decision when he found out Berbrooke made unwanted advances on Daphne, then tried to blackmail her into marriage. After Berbrooke was run out of town by Lady Whistledown, Anthony loosened the reins, allowing more callers to Daphne.^[4] He gave Prince Friedrich his blessing to propose to Daphne, but said it was her choice. When he found her with Simon, he demanded that Simon marry her, but he refused, and Anthony demanded a duel.^[6] When Anthony noticed Daphne and Simon’s marriage was in trouble, he got into a fight with Simon over him hurting his sister.^[8]

While Anthony was looking for a bride the following season, Daphne teased that he had his work cut out for him.^[11] Daphne noticed Anthony’s attention to Kate, despite courting Edwina. Anthony told her there was nothing between him and Kate, which Daphne didn’t believe.^[12] Anthony proposed to Edwina, but Daphne said it was a mistake, and Anthony should admit his feelings for Kate and accept love. Anthony, though, said he didn’t have time for love because he had to take care of his family. Daphne said that he shouldn’t have to put duty before love, and pitied Anthony thinking that he had to do so.^[14]

Gregory Bridgerton

Gregory is the youngest of Anthony’s brothers and the second youngest of all his siblings. Shortly after Anthony’s failed proposal to Kate Sharma Gregory came into Anthony’s study and told him that his Latin tutor thought that he was stupid. Gregory attempted to leave but Anthony called him back in then reassured Gregory that the tutor didn’t think Gregory was stupid. He found Anthony frightening. Anthony then admitted that he asked too much of everyone in his life, including Gregory and the tutor.

Gregory asked Anthony if he was like his father at all as he didn’t know much about him. Anthony then talked a bit of their father, recalling a time he put glue in their brother Benedict’s shoes.

Hyacinth Bridgerton

Hyacinth was Anthony’s youngest sister and sibling. Prior to Hyacinth’s birth it appeared as though either Violet or the baby would die and the doctors asked Anthony which he would prefer if the choice had to be made. Anthony was shocked and horrified by this and told the doctors it was Violet’s choice before fleeing the room. Luckily both Violet and Hyacinth survived the birth.

Anthony appears to have a good relationship with Hyacinth, allowing her to come to Aubrey Hall (as long as she didn’t touch his lucky mallet) and inviting her to dance when no one showed up to his mother’s ball.

Francesca Bridgerton

Francesca is Anthony’s second youngest sister. During Francesca’s debut in the 1815 social season, contrary to Daphne’s debut, Anthony is more understanding with Francesca, allowing her to take a moment for herself during the first ball of the season.

Friendships

Simon Basset

Anthony and Simon have been friends since their days at Oxford. Their friendship ties became tense after Simon chose to court Anthony’s younger sister, Daphne. He told Simon to stay away from her after promising her to Nigel Berbrooke, but Simon said Berbrooke was not a worthy man, and revealed to Anthony what Berbrooke had tried to do to Daphne. Anthony realized his mistake, and he and Simon made amends. When Anthony caught Simon alone with Daphne, he was furious that Simon dishonored his family name to the point where they arranged a duel. However, Daphne stopped the duel, and convinced Simon to marry her. When Anthony sensed trouble in Simon and Daphne’s marriage, he accused Simon of hurting his sister to the point they got into a bloody fight. Simon and Daphne eventually made up, and let Anthony know they were staying in London.

Thomas Dorset

He and Dorset know each other from Oxford. When Anthony wanted to get closer to Edwina but Kate barred him, he asked Dorset to pretend to be interested in Kate to divert her attention and free Edwina. Kate discovers the hoax and is annoyed with both. Later in Hyde Park, he apologizes to her and asks her to accompany him on a boat trip, which she ends up accepting to make Anthony jealous. A jealous Anthony listens to Edwina talking about Dorset’s interest in Kate and the beautiful couple they make. Seeing that Kate seems to genuinely enjoy his company, Anthony becomes jealous, so he tries to outshine him, which results in both of them falling in the lake after Anthony trips over Newton.

Professional

Career

Anthony became the 9th Viscount Bridgerton at the young age of eighteen upon his father’s untimely death. Overwhelmed by the huge responsibilities piled on him all at once, Anthony spent the next decade avoiding most of his duties, choosing to spend most of his time romancing opera singer Siena Rosso. He planned to never marry and simply pass the title to one of his brothers. However, after a lecture from his mother about his hypocrisy about interfering in Daphne’s season while still avoiding his major responsibilities, Anthony finally decided to step up and accept his full duty, starting by breaking off his relationship with Siena and arranging a suitable match for Daphne.

After his poor choice in a husband for Daphne nearly ended in disaster, Anthony stepped back from the matters of her season for the most part, allowing his mother and sister to handle her navigation through the marriage market alone, although he did challenge Simon to a duel after he caught the latter making out with Daphne in the gardens. After Daphne married and became a duchess, therefore elevating their family’s status even higher, Anthony believed they were finally high enough that he could marry Siena with no severe problems, but Siena rejected his proposal, knowing that she would never fit into his world, nor did she want to. After that, Anthony decided that he would marry for convenience, not love. But that changed when he met Kate Sharma.

Notes and Trivia

• Netflix Bio: As the eldest sibling and head of the Bridgerton household, Anthony strives to fill his late father’s shoes, managing the family’s affairs. Intent on marrying out of duty, the young viscount is not interested in a love match. Nevertheless, he expects nothing short of perfection from his future bride.^[20]
  • The head of the Bridgerton family in the Regency era. The first child of Viscount Edmund and Viscountess Violet Bridgerton, and devoted husband of Viscountess Kate Bridgerton, née Sharma.^[21]
• According to Simon, Anthony once let a farm animal into Simon’s dormitory as a prank, and Simon had to help get it back out.^[5]
• He was 29 as of 1814.^[1]
• In the first season, Anthony had sideburns, which were Jonathan Bailey’s real sideburns.^[22] According to several sources, Anthony shaving his sideburns represents his transition from being a playboy to serious head of the household.^[23]
• At the beginning of season two, Anthony wears a darker color palette, to reflect his serious search for a future wife, then his clothes become lighter and looser as he begins to loosen up more. He also begins to dress more like his father, Edmund, who is his role model as head of the family.^[24]
• Anthony owns a pocket watch that previously belonged to his father.
• Anthony has a fear of bees as a result of witnessing his father’s death after he was stung by a bee.^[12]
• While playing Pall Mall, Anthony tends to be quite competitive and superstitious, always using the same mallet and doesn’t allow anyone to use it. He once threatened to beat Colin when he touched his mallet.^[2]

Gallery

Bruce Springsteen – Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)

Verzet tegen immigratiepolitie Ice zwelt aan na doodschieten tweede burger in Minneapolis

Mother of 3 who loved to sing and write poetry shot and killed by ICE in Minneapolis

The woman shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis was a loving mother, a poet and a partner whose family – along with neighbors across her stunned city and strangers far beyond – is shocked by the circumstances surrounding her death.

Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old US citizen, was killed when an ICE agent shot into her vehicle during an encounter Wednesday morning.

Good’s ex-husband said she had just dropped off her 6-year-old son at school when she encountered the ICE agents, The Associated Press reported.

The victim tried to “weaponize her vehicle” to run over an officer near an ICE vehicle stuck on a snow-lined street before he opened fire, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said.

State and local officials have strongly disputed claims the shooting, captured on video, was done in self-defense as tensions exploded amid this week’s deployment of some 2,000 federal agents as part of the latest surge in the Trump administration’s nationwide immigration enforcement crackdown and following claims of welfare fraud in the Somali immigrant community.

Still, loved ones and leaders paused to remember the newcomer to Minnesota as “an amazing human being.”

“Renee was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. She was extremely compassionate,” her mother, Donna Ganger, told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “She’s taken care of people all her life … She was loving, forgiving and affectionate.”

Good ‘had a good life but a hard life’

Born in Colorado, Good moved to Minnesota last year and lived in the Twin Cities with her partner, the Star Tribune reported, citing Ganger.

A mother of three, Good had two children, ages 15 and 12, from her first marriage, The Associated Press reported. Her 6-year-old child’s father died in 2023, according to the Star Tribune. “There’s nobody else in his life,” the child’s grandfather told the newspaper.

After spending most of her life in Colorado, Good briefly moved to Kansas to live with her parents for a time after her husband – a military veteran – died, her father, Tim Ganger, told The Washington Post.

“She had a good life, but a hard life,” he said. “She was a wonderful person.”

Good’s death hit her family especially hard because it was her older sister’s birthday, her uncle, Robert Ganger, told CNN affiliate KMGH.

CNN has reached out to Good’s family.

‘A very welcomed member of the community’

Good’s southside Minneapolis home still had holiday decorations on the front porch and in the window Thursday afternoon. Signs of support for Good could be seen in windows around the neighborhood, where she and her family had settled relatively recently, neighbors said.

Good had a “really sweet family,” one neighbor told CNN, recalling how Good’s son would sometimes ask to pet their dog.

A few houses down, another neighbor, Clark Hoelscher told CNN, “We saw her kids’ sidewalk drawings during the summer.”

Hoelscher did not know the family personally but would see them in the neighborhood from time to time.

As Hoelscher spoke about Good, a tear streamed down their face. “I’m a parent, I’ve helped raise five children. I have two kiddos that are my own.”

“I can’t imagine that they came home and their mom isn’t gonna be there anymore,” Hoelscher explained.

Hoelscher, who is also a teacher, said ICE’s presence in Minneapolis was already having an effect before Wednesday’s shooting.

“We have students and families who are scared to be at school,” Hoelscher said. “It’s really hard when I have a student who misses school, I’m just scared about what’s happened to them or their family members,” they added.

Another community member stood in front of Good’s house for much of the day Thursday, greeting anyone who tried to knock on the door and relaying that Good’s family would release a statement at the appropriate time.

“She was a very welcomed member of the community,” neighbor Kimmy Hull said of Good, whose home is less than a mile from where George Floyd was killed in 2020.

Hull said she isn’t surprised by the groundswell of organizing efforts and support in the community.

“What happened with (George) Floyd, there’s a lot of hard things that came out of it. But there’s a lot of really good things. One of the best things was it taught a lot of people how to work together. How to come together,” Hull said.

A devoted mom and Christian who loved to sing

A former neighbor in Kansas City called Good and her family “lovely,”

She is “a neighbor who, you know, is not a terrorist. Not an extremist,” Joan Rose told KMBC. “That was just a mom who loved her kids, loved her spouse.”

On her social media accounts, Good described herself as a “poet and writer and wife and mom,” according to the AP. She recently said she was “experiencing Minneapolis,” posting a pride flag emoji on her Instagram account.

A Pinterest account with her name features photos of Good smiling and holding a young child against her cheek, along with saved posts about tattoos, hairstyles and home decorating.

END

PVDA

Ooggetuige uit Minneapolis: over ICE, moord, en massaal verzet

Peter Mertens. Zoë, jij bent in Minneapolis. Kan jij uitleggen wat er gebeurt?

Zoe Alexandra. Ruim twee weken geleden heeft de Trump-administratie meer dan 2000 federale agenten naar de Twin Cities gestuurd, Minneapolis en Saint Paul. Dat maakt deel uit van een brede immigratie-crackdown die Trump in heel het land voert. Minneapolis en Saint Paul zijn een doelwit omdat er een grote migranten- en vluchtelingengemeenschap woont. Minneapolis is de thuisbasis van vooral de Somalische gemeenschap.

In een ideologische campagne worden migranten weggezet als criminelen. Een geïsoleerd dossier van een kinderopvang die zich schuldig zou hebben gemaakt aan dubieuze financiële praktijken, wordt aangegrepen om te zeggen dat de hele Somalische gemeenschap fraude pleegt. Op basis daarvan volgt dan een massale inzet van federale agenten in de stad.

Mensen kwamen hier meteen in verzet, organiseerden zich en sloegen terug met solidariteit. In die context zagen we eerder al de moord op Rene Nicole Goode, die naar een plek ging waar agenten van ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) en CBP (Customs and Border Protection) raids uitvoerden.

Gisteren gebeurde iets gelijkaardigs in de Whittier-buurt in Minneapolis. Verpleegkundige Alex Peretti maakte deel uit van een “rapid response network” en ging naar een plek waar veel CBP-agenten waren, waarschijnlijk om een inval te doen in migrantengemeenschappen. Op het moment dat hij werd neergeschoten, probeerde hij een andere vrouw te beschermen tegen traangas en intimidatie door federale agenten. Die extreme geweldspiraal eindigde in een dodelijke schietpartij.

Meteen daarna was er in de gemeenschap opnieuw een massale mobilisatie. De hele dag waren er grote betogingen rond de plek van de schietpartij. Die werden geregeld hard onderdrukt: traangas, betogers die geslagen werden. Het is erg gespannen in Minneapolis. Maar tegelijk voel je ook iets anders: rebellie, en opvallend veel ‘community care’, zorg voor elkaar.

Peter Mertens. Weet je meer over Alex Pretti? Wie was hij? Hij was verpleegkundige, maar wat zeggen collega’s en familie over hem?

Zoe Alexandra. Alex was van Minnesota. Hij werkte in een VA-hospitaal, een ziekenhuis van “Veterans Affairs”, dus vooral voor Amerikaanse veteranen die in het leger hebben gediend.

Het is opvallend: vlak na de schietpartij, terwijl er video’s circuleren waarop je ziet dat iemand midden op straat wordt doodgeschoten, start de Trump-administratie een mediacampagne. Ze beweren dat Alex op het punt stond federale agenten te doden, dat hij zijn wapen zou hebben getrokken…allerlei leugens die door videobeelden worden weerlegd.

Ondertussen circuleren ook andere beelden: Alex in het VA-hospitaal, hoe hij zorgde voor veteranen, hoe hij rituelen begeleidde voor stervende mensen. Trump noemt militairen altijd helden, en Alex was iemand die letterlijk veteranen verzorgde. Toch wordt hij nu voorgesteld als een crimineel. Dat toont de leegte van die propaganda.

Zijn familie gaf een heel mooie verklaring over wie hij was: iemand die voor mensen zorgde. Dat blijkt ook uit wat er gebeurde: hij stierf terwijl hij een vrouw probeerde te beschermen tegen zwaarbewapende agenten. De laatste zin in de verklaring van van zijn familie was ongeveer: “Breng alsjeblieft de waarheid over onze zoon naar buiten. Hij was een goede man.” Een poging om die leugens te weerleggen.

We zagen hetzelfde na de dood van Rene Nicole Goode: ze werd een “terrorist” genoemd. Men probeerde zelfs haar partner te vervolgen. Het is een klassiek patroon: na politiegeweld probeert men het slachtoffer meteen af te schilderen als agressor, zodat het geweld gerechtvaardigd lijkt. Dat narratief kennen gekleurde gemeenschappen al decennia. Dat het nu ook tegen witte mensen wordt gebruikt, valt veel mensen op. Het opent de ogen voor politiegeweld in de VS.

Peter Mertens. Wat is ICE precies? Wat doen die agenten daar? Er zijn beelden van ouders die voor de ogen van hun kinderen worden meegenomen. Kan je schetsen hoe ontwrichtend hun aanwezigheid is?

Zoe Alexandra. Al ruim twee weken is er die inzet van 2000 federale agenten van het Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Daarbinnen zijn er twee grote diensten: ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) en CBP (Customs and Border Protection). Het zijn ordediensten met vuurwapens en niet-dodelijke wapens zoals pepperspray, traangas en wapenstokken. Ze handhaven de immigratie, wat in de praktijk raids betekent

In die eerste inzet van 2000 agenten zat een mix van ICE en CBP. Mensen halen die door elkaar, omdat ze allebei onder DHS vallen, het departement dat Trumps agenda van massadeportatie moet uitvoeren. Trump beloofde tijdens zijn campagne dat hij 10 miljoen mensen zou deporteren. Om dat te doen, zet hij vooral ICE en CBP in.

Het zijn diensten die bijvoorbeeld deur aan deur gaan, vaak zonder huiszoekingsbevel, en aanbellen op plekken waar ze denken mensen zonder papieren te vinden. Ze vallen werkplekken binnen waar migranten werken, ze intimideren en arresteren mensen. Veel mensen noemen het ronduit ontvoering.

Daarom zeggen mensen dat het op een soort privé-militie van Trump lijkt. Ze kregen recordbudgetten, terwijl andere programma’s weg worden bezuinigd. Er gaan miljarden naar die diensten. Er werd een massale rekruteringscampagne gelanceerd. Duizenden nieuwe mensen, soms met amper een week opleiding, krijgen toegang tot wapens en geweldsmiddelen, en worden ingezet met een expliciet politieke, racistische en xenofobe agenda.

We zien ook extreem geweld: kinderen die worden meegenomen, agenten die bij scholen wachten om zelfs jonge kinderen te arresteren. In Minneapolis zie je dan wat er gebeurt als de lokale gemeenschap zich tussen die agenten en de migrantengemeenschappen zet: dan wordt iemand die anderen probeert te beschermen, neergeschoten.

En het escaleert. Eerst waren het 2000 agenten in de Twin Cities. Na de schietpartij waarbij Rene Nicole Goode werd gedood, hadden ze kunnen zeggen: dit gaat te ver. Maar in plaats daarvan kondigden ze nog eens 1000 extra agenten aan. Nu zitten er meer dan 3000 ICE- en CBP-agenten in Minneapolis en Saint Paul.

Peter Mertens. Vanuit Europa gezien, is dit hallucinant. Het lijkt op een militaire macht. Op drie weken tijd zijn Minneapolis twee mensen doodgeschoten. Je beschrijft het massaal verzet: grote betogingen, zelfs een algemene staking in die extreme koude. Hoe verklaar je dat?

Zoe Alexandra. Minneapolis is echt bijzonder. Ik ken weinig plekken in wereld waar 100.000 mensen bij min dertig graden de straat opgaan. Maar het was meer dan een betoging. Er was ook een grote algemene staking: honderden zaken sloten de deuren na een oproep van vakbonden en religieuze leiders. De staking werd enorm versterkt door studentengroepen, kleine ondernemers en migrantengemeenschappen. Dat was historisch.

Ik denk dat het wijst op twee dingen. Eén: mensen zijn woedend over Trumps beleid en de terreur die ICE en CBP aanrichten. Ze krijgen recordbudgetten, terwijl andere dingen worden afgebouwd. Die miljarden gaan naar diensten die mensen doden en dat vervolgens proberen te rechtvaardigen.

Twee: wat ik gisteren zag, raakte me. Mensen uit de buurt kwamen onmiddellijk naar de plek van de schietpartij, ondanks de kou. Gisteren was het “warm”: min vijfentwintig. Ze zeiden: “Ik woon hier. Ik ben geschokt. Deze gewapende gasten komen van buiten de staat en komen hier mensen uit onze gemeenschap vermoorden.” Mensen zijn trots en voelen zich eigenaar van de stad: “Die federale agenten moeten weg, zodat onze gemeenschap weer veilig is.”

Er is opmerkelijk veel eenheid. De solidariteit, over afkomst heen, is indrukwekkend. In een land met een complexe geschiedenis van racisme en pogingen om de werkende klasse te verdelen, groeit die multi-etnische eenheid.

De Trump-administratie denkt dat meer geweld mensen zal doen zwijgen. Maar het maakt mensen bozer en laat hen duidelijk zien dat de enige manier om dit te stoppen massaal samenkomen is. Minneapolis is bijzonder divers – Somalische winkelcentra, Vietnamese malls, allerlei gemeenschappen – en mensen zijn daar trots op. Ik denk ook dat dit sentiment zich verspreidt in de VS: het idee dat we samen moeten opstaan tegen dit geweld.

Peter Mertens. Laatste vraag. We horen steeds meer over een surveillance-systeem met gezichtsherkenning, spyware, tools om telefoons uit te lezen. Technologie die ook in Palestina getest wordt en daarna in de VS wordt ingezet. Er is de samenwerking tussen Israëlische veiligheidsdiensten en diensten als ICE. Hoe zie jij die evolutie?

Zoe Alexandra. De VS zijn zwaar gesurveilleerd. En inderdaad is veel technologie getest en ontwikkeld in de context van Palestina, ook in de recente oorlog en het geweld tegen Gaza, waar AI-toepassingen massaal werden uitgeprobeerd. Dat niveau van surveillance is hoog. Opvallend is dat hier ondanks die technologie vaak geen gerichte operaties worden uitgevoerd, maar leggen ze een breed, willekeurige net over gemeenschappen. Dat onderstreept hun werkelijke agenda: geen precisie maar terreur.

In steden zoals Minneapolis en Saint Paul – bestuurd door democraten – is er wel enige weerstand tegen volledige samenwerking met de federale diensten. Minneapolis is bijvoorbeeld een “sanctuary city”: de lokale politie hoort dan officieel niet mee te werken aan federale raids en geen data te delen. In republikeins bestuurde plaatsen werken lokale politiediensten vaker hand in hand met ICE en CBP, waardoor die operaties nog efficiënter worden.

Maar die technologieën – databanken, toegang tot cameranetwerken – vergroten sowieso hun capaciteit om mensen te viseren. En omdat Trump zich omringd heeft met tech-miljardairs en databedrijven, wordt die datapool alleen maar groter.

Het is beangstigend. Maar veel activisten denken ook: ze hebben al die tools, ze gaan die ook gebruiken, dus je kan niet denken dat je je onzichtbaar kunt maken. We moeten ervan uitgaan dat wie protesteert geïdentificeerd is. De enige echte bescherming is het groter maken van de beweging. Met 50 mensen in een protest kan je bang zijn voor repercussies. Maar met 100.000 mensen wordt het een ander verhaal. Vrijdag kon je zelfs met de beste technologie niemand uit de massa halen. Ze kunnen geen 100.000 mensen arresteren. Dus het antidotum tegen surveillance is nóg meer mensen, nóg meer organisatie, nóg meer massale actie.

Peter Mertens. Dan nu echt de laatste vraag. Min twintig tot min dertig… Wat doe jij om je oren te beschermen?

Zoe Alexandra. Ik draag natuurlijk de PVDA-muts (lacht). Het is echt extreem koud. Je steekt je hand vijf seconden uit en je voelt je vingers al niet meer. Als je de beelden ziet van die massa’s mensen op straat, volledig ingepakt, bijna niet in staat om hun armen te bewegen, dan zie je hoe mensen letterlijk hun lichaam op het spel zetten om zich te verzetten tegen racistische maatregelen.

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3 NEWS

Health care workers honor Alex Pretti at vigil in Henderson

28 JANUARY 2026

Health care workers honor Alex Pretti at vigil in Henderson

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A nationwide movement to honor the life of Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed at an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has brought dozens of health care workers across the country to pay their respects, including some in southern Nevada.

A vigil Wednesday night in honor of Pretti was held just outside of the St. Rose Siena Hospital in Henderson, near St. Rose Parkway and Eastern Avenue, brought out dozens of health care workers as part of a nationwide effort put on by National Nurses United to remember and honor Pretti.

Many in attendance said his life was taken far too soon.

“We are here to remind people that what he did on that day was brave and strong,” said National Nurses United member and registered nurse Lisa Cornelius.

“We felt that it was important for us to come out and honor his life and support, and also to be a voice to make sure that his death is not in vain. He was out advocating, caring for others; that is what we do as nurses,” said registered nurse Linda Ward-Smith.

Many in attendance during Wednesday’s vigil say the remembrance ceremony was not only for Alex Peretti, but of others who have lost their lives as a result of immigration enforcement efforts across the country.

As part of the vigil, some of the calls to action echoed the nationwide demands from many calling on Congress and elected officials to denounce the current actions from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and its agents.

Those standing in solidarity with Pretti sharing his image and messages of support, recounted the tragic video leading up to his death. They said that despite not knowing him on a personal level, his dedication as an ICU nurse at a VA hospital in Minneapolis makes them feel connected as healthcare workers.

Many described Petti’s efforts as those of a true healthcare hero to the end.

“This is absolutely heartbreaking. I can’t even describe how upsetting this is. Hopefully, this is everyone’s pause because we are here to care for people, whether they are an immigrant or a citizen, your neighbor, a loved one or not. We are here to care for people, and I think that is what he was out there doing that day, trying to protect the people of his community,” Cornellius added.

“What he did was tremendous, and he should be remembered for what he did. He honored the veterans who served this country, and that is how we should remember him,” local veteran Bob Olsen added.

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