Caroline Matilda of Great Britain
| Caroline Matilda of Great Britain | |
|---|---|
Pastel by Francis Cotes, 1766
|
|
| Queen consort of Denmark and Norway | |
| Tenure | 8 November 1766 – 10 May 1775 |
| Born |
22 July 1751 Leicester House, London, England, Great Britain |
| Died | 10 May 1775 (aged 23) Celle, Holy Roman Empire |
| Burial | 13 May 1775 Stadtkirche St. Marien, Celle, Holy Roman Empire |
| Spouse | Christian VII of Denmark |
| Issue |
Frederick VI of Denmark Louise Augusta, Duchess of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg |
| House | Hanover |
| Father | Frederick, Prince of Wales |
| Mother | Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha |
Caroline Matilda of Great Britain (Danish: Caroline Mathilde; 22 July 1751 – 10 May 1775) was queen consort of Denmark and Norway by marriage to King Christian VII.
Caroline Matilda was the youngest child of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. Her father died suddenly about three months before her birth. She was born at Leicester House in London, and was given the style and title HRH Princess Caroline Matilda, 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 George (who became George III in 1761). Both of her names were used due to her paternal aunt, Princess Caroline, being alive. The princess was christened ten days later, at the same house, by the Bishop of Norwich, Thomas Hayter. Her godparents were her brother George, her aunt Caroline and her sister Augusta.
She was brought up by her strict mother away from the English court and was described as natural and informal. She enjoyed out-doors life and riding. She was musically gifted, could speak Italian, French and German, and was described as an accomplished singer with a beautiful voice.
In 1764, negotiations were made between the British and Danish royal houses of a marriage between the Danish heir to the throne and a British princess. The marriage was considered suitable in status and welcomed by both houses, as there were few Protestant royal houses for either party to choose between at that point. The preferred choice for a bride was initially Princess Louisa, but after the Danish representative in London, Count von Bothmer, was informed of her weak constitution, her younger sister Caroline Matilda was chosen for the match instead. The marriage was announced in Great Britain 10 January 1765.
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