Birth of Anne Sophie von Reventlow – Queen of Denmark and Norway
Anne Sophie was born on 16th April 1693.
She was born a countess, as the daughter of Conrad, Count Reventlow of Clausholm and his second wife, Sophie Amalie von Hahn.
It was during a masked ball at Koldinghus Castle in 1711, that King Frederik IV and the 18 year old Countess Anne Sophie Reventlow first set eyes on each other.
Anne Sophie was described as beautiful and lively, with “black, fiery eyes.”
King Frederik IV desperately wanted Anna Sophie to become his mistress, which her mother refused to allow.
On 26th June 1712 the king, who was still married to Queen Louise, carried off the beautiful young countess from her home at Clausholm Castle in Jutland.
Later that year, they were married morganatically at Sønderborg Castle.
King Frederick bestowed several Danish estates, a sizeable annual allowance, expensive gifts and, not least, the noble title of Duchess of Schleswig upon Anna Sophie.
Although the relationship created a great deal of discord in the royal family, Anne Sophie became the centre of a rich social life which revolved around the king.
It is known from their personal letters, among other sources, that the love and passion between them was mutual.
Within days of Queen Louise’s death in 1721, they were legally married.
The wedding was formal and conducted with a grand ceremony.
That same year, Anne Sophie Reventlow was crowned Queen of Denmark-Norway.
Anna Sophie was Denmark’s first non-royal queen consort for almost 600 years.
🥀 Anne Sophie gave birth six children, three born before the official marriage, and three born after the official marriage.
Those who were born after the marriage were styled as Princes of Denmark.
Sadly, none of them survived infancy.
Anne Sophie’s stepson Crown Prince Christian, detested her.
He had been close to his mother, and hated that Anne Sophie had taken her place.
The King’s siblings, Prince Carl and Princess Sophie Hedevig, left Copenhagen in protest of Anna Sophie.
However, her stepdaughter Charlotte Amalie always showed Anne Sophie with kindness and respect.
In 1725, the King made a will in which he ensured the rights of Anne Sophie after his death, and made his son sign it.
When King Frederik IV died in 1730, her stepson and the new King Christian VI, banished Anne Sophie to her birthplace Clausholm Castle.
King Christian VI stated that Anne Sophie had taken advantage of his father during his old age and weak health.
Also she had caused offence by years of open adultery while his father was still married to his mother.
Anne Sophie spent the rest of her life in religious seclusion, under virtual house arrest on her estate.
King Christian did not allow her to leave without his express permission – which he never gave.
During the last thirteen years of her life, she devoted herself to religion and her charities.
Anne Sophie died on 7th January 1743, aged 49.
Upon her death, King Christian VI allowed for public mourning and arranged to have her buried in Roskilde Cathedral.
To keep her from being buried with his father, King Christian VI purchased the Trolle family chapel in the west end of the cathedral, and arranged for her and her children to be buried there.
🥀 Anne Sophie von Reventlow – Queen of Denmark and Norway c.1725
Portrait by Johann Salomon Wahl.
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