Birth of Hedvig Elizabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp, Queen of Sweden and Norway
Hedvig was born on the 22nd March 1759, in Eutin, the northern German state of Schleswig~Holstein.
She was the youngest daughter of Duke Frederick August I of Holstein-Gottorp and Princess Ulrike Friederike Wilhelmine of Hesse-Kassel.
Hevig was noted for her beauty, her waist measured a mere 48 cm (19″) and her shoe size 31 (girls’ size 13)
She was witty, an excellent conversationalist, and aware of political and social subjects.
When Hedvig was 15, she married her cousin Charles, Duke of Södermanland, in Stockholm in June 1774.
Charles had first seen her during a visit to Eutin, and was stunned by her beauty.
Inspired by the wedding of French King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the court arranged a lavish celebration with a wedding ceremony in the Royal Chapel, followed by theatrical performances and masquerades balls in King’s Garden.
The new Duchess charmed everyone with her beauty and witty personality, and became the centre of the royal court.
Sadly, their marriage was distant and both she and her spouse had extramarital affairs.
Charles paid more attention to his lovers than to her.
Hedvig was indifferent to the affairs of her spouse, as they gave her the opportunity to live more freely herself.
Her close friendship with Sophie von Fersen gave rise to rumours of her being bisexual.
Hedvig was also rumoured to be in a relationship with Count Axel von Fersen ~ an alleged lover of Marie Antoinette.
Despite their distance, the couple had two children together, Lovisa Hedvig, and Carl Adolf, Duke of Värmland.
Sadly Carl only lived six days, and was buried at Riddarholm Church, Stockholm, Sweden.
Hedvig and Charles were placed upon the throne after the Coup of 1809.
During the coup, she was heard exclaiming:
“I do not wish to be a Queen!”
Hedwig was crowned with the king on 29th June 1809.
At the coronation, she was described as gracious and dignified, without losing her usual vividness and cheerfulness.
During his reign, she is known to have visited him in his bedroom every morning to talk to him about affairs of state.
In Queen Hedvig’s salon, she had the so~called “Green table”, where her women discussed politics while sewing.
Upon the death of her husband, she reportedly said that she would not be able to survive without him.
After her husband’s funeral, a great conflict of some sort is reported to have taken place between the Dowager Queen and the new King.
After a private dinner with the King, she withdrew to her room to write.
The very same night, Hedvig collapsed and died, on 20th June 1818, at the age of 59.
Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte is well known for her famous diary.
Her diary is a valuable historical source that describes the Swedish Royal Court between August 1775 and October 1817.
It describes events both nationally and internationally, scandals, gossip, plots and social events taking place within the Swedish royal court, as well as political subjects.
Six months before her death, Hedvig deposited her writings in a locked coffin which was opened a century later.
It was then translated into Swedish and published in nine parts, the first one in 1902 and the last part in 1942.
? Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte.
Portrait by Alexander Roslin c.1774.
