Louise Augusta of Denmark

Louise Augusta of Denmark (July 7, 1771 - January 13, 1843) was officially daughter of King Christian VII of Denmark and Queen Caroline Mathilde. Unofficially it is widely accepted that her natural father was Johann Friedrich Struensee, the king?s royal physician and de facto regent of the country at the time of her birth. She was referred to sometimes as "la petite Struensee".

Related Topics:
July 7 - 1771 - January 13 - 1843 - Christian VII of Denmark - Caroline Mathilde - Johann Friedrich Struensee - De facto - Regent

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She was born at Hirschholm Palace in present day Hørsholm municipality, Denmark. After the arrest of her parents on January 17, 1772, and the subsequent execution of her father and the banishment and imprisonment of her mother, she was raised at the Danish court residing at Christiansborg Castle, Copenhagen along with her three-year older brother, Crown Prince Frederik VI under the supervision of the Dowager Queen Juliane Marie.

Related Topics:
Hirschholm Palace - Hørsholm municipality - Denmark - January 17 - 1772 - Christiansborg Castle - Copenhagen - Frederik VI - Juliane Marie

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The nation's foremost statesman, Chief Minister Andreas Peter Bernstorff, hatched an ingenious plan for the young princess, an arranged marriage to marry the half-royal back into the family, as well as to more closely connect the Danish royal house?s two lines, the ruling House of Oldenborg and the offshoot House of Augustenborg, thus discouraging the threat of a breakup of the kingdom. At the age of 14 on May 27, 1786 she was married to Frederik Christian II, Duke of Augustenborg at Christiansborg Castle.

Related Topics:
Andreas Peter Bernstorff - Arranged marriage - House of Oldenborg - House of Augustenborg - May 27 - 1786 - Frederik Christian II

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They lived at the Castle for many years until the fire of 1794. The princess was often the center of court activities, and was proclaimed the ?Venus of Denmark?.

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They had three children:

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• Caroline Amalie (b. Sept. 28, 1796), who would become Queen of Denmark as consort to Christian VIII
• Christian August (b. July 19, 1798), the Duke of Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenborg
• Frederik Emil August (b. Aug. 23, 800), the ?Prince? of Nør

Over the years there developed conflict between her husband and her brother, especially over the relationship of the Duchy to the Danish monarchy. She remained loyal to the Danish Royal House throughout the differences. In 1810 she worked actively to stop the Duke's attempts to be chosen as successor to the Swedish throne.

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Their relationship eventually fell apart, and Frederik Christian tried to legally limit her influence over their children?s future. He died in 1814, and Louise Augusta took control of the Augustenborg estates and the children?s upbringing.

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In her old age she resided in the Augustenborg Castle, where she established an eccentric court. She died there in 1843.

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Two portraits of her were painted by Danish artist Jens Juel. The first from 1784 is in The Royal Collection, London, and the second from 1787 is in the Frederiksborg Palace Museum. Another portrait of her by Anton Graff is in Sønderborg Castle.

Related Topics:
Jens Juel - The Royal Collection - London - Frederiksborg Palace Museum - Anton Graff - Sønderborg Castle

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Danish author Maria Helleberg has written a best-selling historical novel based on the life of Louise Augusta called "Kærlighedsbarn" ("Love Child"), which inspired a special biographical exhibition on the life of the princess at Rosenborg Castle.

Related Topics:
Maria Helleberg - Historical novel - Rosenborg Castle

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