Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. Residents of Charlotte are referred to as "Charlotteans". Charlotte has become a major U.S. financial center, and is now the second largest banking center in the United States after New York City. Nicknamed the Queen City, Charlotte and its resident county are named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who had become queen consort of British King George III the year before the city's founding.