Caroline of Ansbach the reconciliation with his father, Caroline advised her husband to retain Walpole as the leading minister. Walpole commanded a substantial majority in Parliament and George II had little choice but to accept him or risk ministerial instability. Walpole secured a civil list payment of £100,000 a year for Caroline, and she was given both Somerset House and Richmond Lodge. Courtier Lord Hervey called Walpole "the Queen's minister" in recognition of their close relationship. For the next ten years, Caroline had immense influence. She persuaded the King to adopt policies at the behest of Walpole, and persuaded Walpole against taking inflammatory
Sophie of Brandenburg-Ansbach Sophie of Brandenburg-Ansbach Sophie of Brandenburg-Ansbach (23 March 1535, Ansbach – 22 February 1587, Legnica) was a princess of Brandenburg-Ansbach and by marriage Duchess of Legnica. Sophie was a daughter of the Margrave George of Brandenburg-Ansbach-Kulmbach (1484–1543) from his third marriage to Emilie of Saxony (1516–1591), daughter of the Duke Henry IV of Saxony. She married on 11 November 1560 in Legnica Duke Henry XI of Legnica (1539–1588). The marriage served to consolidate Sophie's father's position as Duke in Silesia. The marriage proved unhappy, which was also due to a significant irritability on Sophie's side. Sophie is not to be