Caroline of Denmark | |||||
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Hereditary Princess of Denmark | |||||
Painting by August Schiøtt (1854)
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Born |
Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen |
28 October 1793||||
Died | 31 March 1881 Copenhagen |
(aged 87)||||
Burial | Roskilde Cathedral | ||||
Spouse | Ferdinand, Hereditary Prince of Denmark | ||||
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House | Oldenburg | ||||
Father | Frederick VI of Denmark | ||||
Mother | Marie of Hesse-Kassel | ||||
Religion | Lutheran |
Full name | |
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Caroline |
Princess Caroline of Denmark (Danish: Caroline af Danmark; 28 October 1793, Copenhagen – 31 March 1881, Copenhagen), was the eldest surviving daughter of King Frederick VI. She was unofficially known as "Kronprinsesse Caroline" (English: Crown Princess Caroline) prior to her marriage, and later as "Arveprinsesse Caroline" (English: Hereditary Princess Caroline). She married her father’s first cousin, Hereditary Prince Ferdinand, who was heir presumptive to the throne from 1848 to 1863.
Princess Caroline was born at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen on 28 October 1793. Her parents were Crown Prince Frederick (the future King Frederick VI of Denmark) and his spouse and first cousin, Princess Marie of Hesse-Kassel. Her paternal grandfather King Christian VII being mentally unstable, her father had acted as regent since 1784.
Her birth was much welcomed by the public, as her siblings had died soon after their birth. At her birth it was said: «Denne er Dydens Løn, flere er Folkets Bøn!» ("This is the revard of virtue, the answer to the people's prayer!")
Four months after her birth, on 26 February 1794, Christiansborg Palace was destroyed by fire. Subsequently Princess Caroline moved with her parents to Amalienborg Palace where she grew up, spending the summers at Frederiksberg Palace. At the death of her grandfather Christian VII of Denmark in 1808, her father ascended as king.
She had a very close relationship with her father. She was given a broad, but not very thorough or deep, education. Caroline was not described as either talented or beautiful. She met Hans Christian Andersen in 1822 and was very interested in his writing and adventure.