Sophia Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Encyclopedia
Sophia Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (24 August 1758 – 29 November 1794) was a Princess and Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
, and by marriage Princess of Denmark.
Sophie Friederike von Mecklenburg-Schwerin was the only daughter of Duke Louis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
, second son of Christian Louis II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
, and Princess Charlotte Sophie of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. She was born in Schwerin
. Her only sibling was Frederick, who was about two years older.
, she married Hereditary Prince Frederick of Denmark and Norway, the son of King Frederick V of Denmark
and his second wife Juliane Marie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, who was the regent
in Denmark between 1772 and 1784. She was sixteen years old when she was married.
Sophia Frederica, known as Sofie Frederikke af Mecklenburg-Schwerin in Denmark, was described as jolly, charming and intelligent. She had a hard time in the beginning adapting to her new, stiffer environment, but became quite popular. It is said she was disappointed when she met her husband for the first time, but they came to be fond of each other, although they both supposedly took lovers; her husband had a mistress
, her companion Caja Hviid, while the father of Sophia Frederica's children was rumored to be her husband's adjutant
, Frederik von Blücher. It was said that the harmony of their marriage was based on mutual understanding. The harmonious friendship between the spouses created a fear that Sophia Frederica's influence over her husband would lead to her interfering in politics.
She died in Sorgenfri Palace
.
Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Mecklenburg-Schwerin was a duchy in northern Germany created in 1348, when Albert II of Mecklenburg and his younger brother John were raised to Dukes of Mecklenburg by King Charles IV...
, and by marriage Princess of Denmark.
Family, early life
Duke Louis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Duke Louis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was heir to the Dukedom of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1756 to his death. He was also the father of the first Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Frederick Francis I-Early life:...
, second son of Christian Louis II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Christian Ludwig II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Christian Ludwig II of Mecklenburg was the Duke of Mecklenburg [-Schwerin] from 1747 to 1756.He was the son of Friedrich I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Christine Wilhelmine, princess of Hesse-Homburg...
, and Princess Charlotte Sophie of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. She was born in Schwerin
Schwerin
Schwerin is the capital and second-largest city of the northern German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The population, as of end of 2009, was 95,041.-History:...
. Her only sibling was Frederick, who was about two years older.
Marriage
On 21 October 1774 in CopenhagenCopenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, she married Hereditary Prince Frederick of Denmark and Norway, the son of King Frederick V of Denmark
Frederick V of Denmark
Frederick V was king of Denmark and Norway from 1746, son of Christian VI of Denmark and Sophia Magdalen of Brandenburg-Kulmbach.-Early life:...
and his second wife Juliane Marie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, who was the regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
in Denmark between 1772 and 1784. She was sixteen years old when she was married.
Sophia Frederica, known as Sofie Frederikke af Mecklenburg-Schwerin in Denmark, was described as jolly, charming and intelligent. She had a hard time in the beginning adapting to her new, stiffer environment, but became quite popular. It is said she was disappointed when she met her husband for the first time, but they came to be fond of each other, although they both supposedly took lovers; her husband had a mistress
Mistress (lover)
A mistress is a long-term female lover and companion who is not married to her partner; the term is used especially when her partner is married. The relationship generally is stable and at least semi-permanent; however, the couple does not live together openly. Also the relationship is usually,...
, her companion Caja Hviid, while the father of Sophia Frederica's children was rumored to be her husband's adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
, Frederik von Blücher. It was said that the harmony of their marriage was based on mutual understanding. The harmonious friendship between the spouses created a fear that Sophia Frederica's influence over her husband would lead to her interfering in politics.
She died in Sorgenfri Palace
Sorgenfri Palace
Sorgenfri Palace is a royal residence of the Danish monarch, located in the Lyngby-Taarbæk municipality in Greater Copenhagen....
.
Children
Sophia Frederica and Prince Frederick had the following children:- Princess Juliana Marie (Christiansborg PalaceChristiansborg PalaceChristiansborg Palace, , on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen, is the seat of the Folketing , the Danish Prime Minister's Office and the Danish Supreme Court...
, 2 May 1784 – CopenhagenCopenhagenCopenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, 28 October 1784) - Hereditary Prince Christian FrederickChristian VIII of DenmarkChristian VIII , was king of Denmark from 1839 to 1848 and, as Christian Frederick, king of Norway in 1814. He was the eldest son of Hereditary Prince Frederick of Denmark and Norway and Sophia Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, born in 1786 at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen...
(1786–1848), 1814-1814 King of Norway and later, 1839–48 King of Denmark (Christian VIII) - Princess Juliana Sophie (CopenhagenCopenhagenCopenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, 18 February 1788 – CopenhagenCopenhagenCopenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, 9 May 1850), married at FrederiksborgFrederiksborgFrederiksborg is a Danish placename that can refer to:* Frederiksborg Palace* Frederiksborg County* Frederiksborg horse...
on 22 August 1812 Wilhelm Landgrave of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (BarchfeldBarchfeldBarchfeld is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany....
, 10 August 1786 – CopenhagenCopenhagenCopenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, 30 November 1834), and had issue - Princess Louise CharlottePrincess Louise Charlotte of DenmarkPrincess Louise Charlotte of Denmark was a princess of Denmark.She was born in Christiansborg Palace to Hereditary Prince Frederick of Denmark and Norway and Sophia Frederica of Mecklenburg-Schwerin , Princess and Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.-Marriage:On 10 November 1810 in Amalienborg Palace...
(1789–1864), married William, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel) - Hereditary Prince Frederik FerdinandFerdinand of Denmarkalign=right|Ferdinand of Denmark, Prince Frederik Ferdinand, was a member of the Danish Royal Family, a grandson of King Frederick V....
(1792–1863), childless