Brita Horn

Brita Margaretha Horn (1745-13 March 1791), was a Swedish countess and courtier. She is known for being the love interest of Charles XIII of Sweden from 1765 to 1771, during which Charles' wish to marry her was given political significance and used by the Caps (party) and Hats (party) during the age of liberty. She is also known for her correspondence with her spouse from 1775 to 1791, which has been partially published.

Brita Horn was born to riksråd count Adam Horn af Ekebyholm (1717-1778), who was known as a sympathizer of the Caps (party), and Anna Katarina Meijerfelt (1722-1779). Her mother was insane and lived with the Meijerfelt family. From 1764 to 1775, Brita Horn served as hovfröken (maid of honour) to queen Louisa Ulrika. As a person, she is described as a serious, melancholic neurotic.

In 1765, prince Charles fell in love with Horn. In parallel, prince Frederick courted another lady in waiting, Ulla von Fersen, with the same intent. This is mentioned in the memoirs of the courtier Adolf Ludvig Hamilton from 1767, when he mentioned the love of the princes for "the maids of honor Brita Horn and Ulrika Fersen. Prince Charles' love for the first, prince Frederick's for the second, were both adjusted to the character of the two ladies. Miss Horn was blond, virtuous, sometimes cold, sometimes tender. She had almost made passion of her influence. Miss Fersen, funny, jolly, happy, capricious, considered the whole affair as a pastime which flattered her confidence and left it at that". Hamilton described a scene at Kina slott that summer: "In one corner, the queen discussed politics, in another, the king talked about the hay- and oat prices with his equerry, the crown prince about fashion and France with countess Ribbing (born Löwen). Prince Frederick bickered with his beauty (Ulla Fersen), prince Charles stood faithfully by his (Brita Horn), but in silence. The crown princess stood changing feet in boredom - the rest of the court yawned or slept."

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Wikipedia