Caroline Matilda of Wales
Princess Caroline Matilda of Wales (July 11, 1751 - May 10, 1775), was a princess of Great Britain and Ireland, sister of King George III and Queen of Denmark from 1767 to 1772.
Early life
Caroline Matilda was the youngest child of Frederick, Prince of Wales and Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, hence her title. Her father died suddenly about three months before her birth. She was born at Leicester House in London, and was given the title Princess Caroline Matilda of Wales as daughter of the Prince of Wales -- though, by the time of her birth, the title of Prince of Wales had passed to her brother.
Marriage
At the age of fifteen Caroline Mathilde, as she was known in Denmark, left her family behind in Britain in order to travel to Denmark and marry her cousin, King Christian VII of Denmark and Norway. The wedding took place on November 8, 1766 at Christiansborg Castle. Her brother was anxious about the marriage, even though he wasn't fully aware that the bridegroom was mentally ill.
On January 28, 1768 Caroline Mathilde gave birth to the Crown Prince, later to become King Frederick VI of Denmark and Norway. In May of the same year Christian VII took his long tour of Europe, including stays in Altona, Paris and London. At the same time Caroline Mathilde spent the summer at Frederiksborg Castle with her new child before returning to Copenhagen in the autumn.
The king returned to Copenhagen on January 12, 1769, bringing with him Johann Friedrich Struensee as royal physician, and later minister in his court. He had met Struensee in Altona during the beginning of his travels. Struensee could apparently handle the king's instability, which was a great relief to the king's advisors, and the king developed a confidence in him.
Caroline Mathilde was unhappy in her marriage, neglected and spurned by the king, and affected by his illness. Struensee encouraged the king to improve his relationship with Caroline Mathilde, and Christian VII showed his attention to her in the form of a three-day birthday party on July 22, 1769.
Affair
The Queen was well aware that Struensee was behind these improvements, and her interest in the charming doctor developed. They entered into a love affair in the spring of 1770. On June 17, 1771 the royal court took summer residence at Hirschholm Palace in present-day Hørsholm municipality. On July 7 Caroline Mathilde gave birth to her second child, Princess Louise Augusta, whose father was almost certainly Struensee.
The court moved to Frederiksborg Castle on November 19 and then back to Christiansborg Castle on January 8, 1772.
Struensee and Caroline Mathilde were both arrested in the middle of the night between January 16 and January 17, after a masked ball at the royal theatre at Christiansborg Castle. Caroline Mathilde was taken to Kronborg Castle to await her judgement. Struensee and his accomplice Enevold Brandt were executed on April 28, 1772.
Later life
Caroline Mathilde was divorced, and deported on board an English frigate to neighbouring Celle, Germany on May 28. She never saw her children again.
She did not give up hope of returning to Denmark and seeing her ex-husband deposed, but her indiscreet behaviour dismayed her brother, and he was reluctant to have her back in England, even if she had been willing to return.
She died suddenly at Celle on May 10, 1775.
Titles, Styles, Honours & Arms
Titles
- 1751-1766: Her Royal Highness Princess Caroline Matilda of Wales
- 1766-1775: Her Majesty Queen Caroline of Denmark and Norway
Issue
| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frederick VI of Denmark | 28 January 1768 | 3 December 1839 | married 1790, Marie Sophie Friederike of Hesse-Cassel; had issue |
| Louise Augusta of Denmark | 7 July 1771 | 13 January 1843 | married 1786, Friedrich Christian II, Duke of Augstenburg; had issue |
