Magdalene Sibylle of Saxony | |
---|---|
Princess of Denmark; Duchess of Saxe-Altenburg | |
Duchess consort of Saxe-Altenburg | |
Tenure | 1652 – 1668 |
Born |
Dresden, Saxony |
23 December 1617
Died | 6 January 1668 Altenburg, Thuringia |
(aged 50)
Spouse |
Christian, Prince-Elect of Denmark Frederick William II, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg |
Issue among others... |
Johanna Magdalena, Duchess of Saxe-Weissenfels Frederick Wilhelm III, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg |
House | Wettin |
Father | John George I, Elector of Saxony |
Mother | Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia |
Religion | Lutheran |
Magdalene Sibylle of Saxony (23 December 1617 – 6 January 1668) was the Princess of Denmark from 1634 to 1647 as the wife of Prince-Elect Christian of Denmark, and the Duchess consort of Saxe-Altenburg as the wife of Frederick Wilhelm II, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg.
Magdalene Sibylle was born in Dresden, the third surviving daughter and sixth surviving child of John George I, Elector of Saxony, and Magdalene Sibylle of Prussia. Her five elder siblings were Sophia Eleonore, Marie Elisabeth, Johann Georg, August, and Christian; her only younger sibling was Maurice.
She was engaged in 1633 and married on 5 October 1634 to Christian of Denmark, who had been elected Prince of Denmark (heir apparent, Denmark being an elective rather than an hereditary monarchy). The wedding took place on 5 October 1634 in Copenhagen with grand festivities. Known in Denmark as Det store bilager ("The great wedding"), the wedding exemplified the great pomp and luxury of the Baroque era. The first ballet ever produced in Denmark was performed for the occasion.
The couple resided at Nykøbing Castle in Falster. Magdalene Sibylle lived discreetly as princess. She made donations to churches and clergymen, and received praise for doing so. She also wrote a prayerbook. Her husband died during a trip to Saxony, which she was accompanying him on, and the marriage ended childless. Eventually her brother-in-law ascended the throne as Frederick III.