An immense crowd gathered and lined the roads in Berlin and
Potsdam the day before the Crown Prince's wedding, and the
celebration was so festive there were candles in all of the
window, singing children lining the route and flowers scattered
everywhere as Frederika and Luise rode through the streets in a
glass coach. Luise and the Friedrich Wilhelm were married the
next day, and Frederika and Louis two days later.
Potsdam the day before the Crown Prince's wedding, and the
celebration was so festive there were candles in all of the
window, singing children lining the route and flowers scattered
everywhere as Frederika and Luise rode through the streets in a
glass coach. Luise and the Friedrich Wilhelm were married the
next day, and Frederika and Louis two days later.
The Crown Prince took Luise to Potsdam on April 1, and she
was relieved to leave Berlin, which was cold to her. By then,
she was expecting her first child and six weeks later the Crown
Prince had to leave for war. By the time he returned in
September, the Crown Prince had only been home a few days
when Luise fell down a flight of stairs and their first daughter
was born dead. A year later, Luise gave birth to a boy. They
soon had a home of their own built near Potsdam.
was relieved to leave Berlin, which was cold to her. By then,
she was expecting her first child and six weeks later the Crown
Prince had to leave for war. By the time he returned in
September, the Crown Prince had only been home a few days
when Luise fell down a flight of stairs and their first daughter
was born dead. A year later, Luise gave birth to a boy. They
soon had a home of their own built near Potsdam.
Meanwhile, resistance to France from European nations strengthened after their king and queen were
murdered In the winter of 1796-97, the Crown Prince became ill and his brother Louis died.
Frederika was left a widow with three children at not even twenty years old. Luise was expecting her
son Wilhelm, who born on March 22, 1797. Then the King unexpectedly took ill and died at the age
of 53, and on November 16, 1797 Friedrich Wilhelm III was proclaimed King of Prussia.
murdered In the winter of 1796-97, the Crown Prince became ill and his brother Louis died.
Frederika was left a widow with three children at not even twenty years old. Luise was expecting her
son Wilhelm, who born on March 22, 1797. Then the King unexpectedly took ill and died at the age
of 53, and on November 16, 1797 Friedrich Wilhelm III was proclaimed King of Prussia.
Berlin could not be defended. Her children, the archives and
the treasury had been taken to Stettin for safety earlier. Luise
sent word to the King to tell him their whereabouts, pleading
with him not to make a shameful peace. In October, the family
reunited in Danzig, but then had to leave in haste for
Königsberg. Luise and her family arrived at Königsberg castle
ill from stress and bad water. By the time the French were only
miles away, she and the children were sent to Memel.
the treasury had been taken to Stettin for safety earlier. Luise
sent word to the King to tell him their whereabouts, pleading
with him not to make a shameful peace. In October, the family
reunited in Danzig, but then had to leave in haste for
Königsberg. Luise and her family arrived at Königsberg castle
ill from stress and bad water. By the time the French were only
miles away, she and the children were sent to Memel.
After Napoleon came to power, the new Prussian King was determined to remain neutral, but once
the Allies became more successful against French positions and while Bonaparte was in Egypt
intending to block England's route to India, Prussian neutrality began to weaken. The Duke of
Braunschweig-Bevern persuaded the new King to join the coalition against Napoleon. Russia's new
czar Alexander I. ended Russia's war with England in 1802.
the Allies became more successful against French positions and while Bonaparte was in Egypt
intending to block England's route to India, Prussian neutrality began to weaken. The Duke of
Braunschweig-Bevern persuaded the new King to join the coalition against Napoleon. Russia's new
czar Alexander I. ended Russia's war with England in 1802.
By the following September, both Friedrich Wilhelm and Luise said goodbye to their children and left
Berlin to meet up with their army. When the Napoleon left for the front, he was heard to say "So...
Mademoiselle of Mecklenburg wants to make war on me, does she? Let her come! I am not afraid
of women!" The Prussian army, the King's cabinet and many diplomats quartered at Naumburg on
the river Saale. Everywhere Luise went a crowd assembled, amazed to see a Queen in the mist of an
army. On October 13, the Prussians army headed for the Battle of Auerstedt, west of Erfurt. Luise
rode in a small carriage at the end of the column. Upon the insistence of the Duke of Braunschweig,
she was surrounded by a guard and driven back to Weimar for her safety. She soon heard the bad
news that Napoleon's army had won a decisive victory at Jena and Auerstedt. Luise turned to her
companions and said, "We must pull ourselves together and we must not spread panic in Berlin," but
by the time Luise got there, many people had already fled in panic.
Berlin to meet up with their army. When the Napoleon left for the front, he was heard to say "So...
Mademoiselle of Mecklenburg wants to make war on me, does she? Let her come! I am not afraid
of women!" The Prussian army, the King's cabinet and many diplomats quartered at Naumburg on
the river Saale. Everywhere Luise went a crowd assembled, amazed to see a Queen in the mist of an
army. On October 13, the Prussians army headed for the Battle of Auerstedt, west of Erfurt. Luise
rode in a small carriage at the end of the column. Upon the insistence of the Duke of Braunschweig,
she was surrounded by a guard and driven back to Weimar for her safety. She soon heard the bad
news that Napoleon's army had won a decisive victory at Jena and Auerstedt. Luise turned to her
companions and said, "We must pull ourselves together and we must not spread panic in Berlin," but
by the time Luise got there, many people had already fled in panic.
In June of 1802, Friedrich Wilhelm and Luise travelled east to
Memel to meet with Alexander. A warm bond between the
Royal families developed and Luise was completely enchanted
by the "good, just and kind Czar." They agreed to forge a
mutual understanding, and keep a watchful eye on France.
Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France on December 2,
1804, and in 1805 Russia broke relations with France and
signed defense pacts with Austria and England.
Memel to meet with Alexander. A warm bond between the
Royal families developed and Luise was completely enchanted
by the "good, just and kind Czar." They agreed to forge a
mutual understanding, and keep a watchful eye on France.
Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France on December 2,
1804, and in 1805 Russia broke relations with France and
signed defense pacts with Austria and England.
Before autumn, the political climate of Berlin, Potsdam and of all Europe would be in turmoil. As
Napoleon's troops began to move east toward the Rhine, Friedrich Wilhelm and his ministers tried to
reason with the French envoy, who had come to Charlottenburg Palace, but it was useless.
Meanwhile, 200,000 men were being mobilized in Russia and Prussia was asked to put up an equal
share. The King agreed to a partial, but neutral and merely defensive, mobilization in 1805.
Napoleon's troops began to move east toward the Rhine, Friedrich Wilhelm and his ministers tried to
reason with the French envoy, who had come to Charlottenburg Palace, but it was useless.
Meanwhile, 200,000 men were being mobilized in Russia and Prussia was asked to put up an equal
share. The King agreed to a partial, but neutral and merely defensive, mobilization in 1805.
On October 25, amid cheering crowds, the Russian Czar rode through the Brandenburg Gate and
down "Unter den Linden" on the way to the Palace where he met with the Austrian Ambassador
Metternich. A treaty was signed in Potsdam on November 3, 1805. Before the Czar left for home,
he stopped at the Garrison Church where he kissed the coffin of Friedrich the Great. Cheering would
not be heard too much longer. Napoleon won a victory at Austerlitz on December 2, and the news
reached Potsdam days later. The Prussian King was not a war maker and had no desire to fight. He
wrote the Czar asking that he leave his armies at the frontier. Napoleon would regard any southward
advance of Prussia's army an act of aggression and that not a single French unit would be withdrawn
from Germany until there was peace with Russia and Prussia laid down her arms. However, Berlin
and Potsdam regiments had already crossed the border into Prussia's ally, Saxony.
down "Unter den Linden" on the way to the Palace where he met with the Austrian Ambassador
Metternich. A treaty was signed in Potsdam on November 3, 1805. Before the Czar left for home,
he stopped at the Garrison Church where he kissed the coffin of Friedrich the Great. Cheering would
not be heard too much longer. Napoleon won a victory at Austerlitz on December 2, and the news
reached Potsdam days later. The Prussian King was not a war maker and had no desire to fight. He
wrote the Czar asking that he leave his armies at the frontier. Napoleon would regard any southward
advance of Prussia's army an act of aggression and that not a single French unit would be withdrawn
from Germany until there was peace with Russia and Prussia laid down her arms. However, Berlin
and Potsdam regiments had already crossed the border into Prussia's ally, Saxony.
On October 27,1806, Napolean paraded his army through the Brandenburg Gate in victory. He
strutted around the Charlottenburg Palace, rummaging and personally plundering private family
belongings and making disparaging comments about Luise. He even had tasteless cartoons made of
her and published in the papers. After ensuring that all Prussian resistance had been eliminated, he
decreed that trade would be totally blocked to Britain, and proceeded east to join his army in Poland.
Even the Russians could not stem Napoleon's advances. Czar Alexander asked for a truce, and he
and The King met with Napoleon at Tilsit to make the agreement. Napoleon had no mercy for the
Prussian King and demanded the surrender of all Prussian territory west of the river Elbe, the Grand
Duchy of Berg and the kingdom of Westphalia. Almost all of Prussian Poland went to the Grand
Duchy of Warsaw, except Danzig, which was made a free city under French protection. The
remainder of Prussia would have to join in war on England if requested.
strutted around the Charlottenburg Palace, rummaging and personally plundering private family
belongings and making disparaging comments about Luise. He even had tasteless cartoons made of
her and published in the papers. After ensuring that all Prussian resistance had been eliminated, he
decreed that trade would be totally blocked to Britain, and proceeded east to join his army in Poland.
Even the Russians could not stem Napoleon's advances. Czar Alexander asked for a truce, and he
and The King met with Napoleon at Tilsit to make the agreement. Napoleon had no mercy for the
Prussian King and demanded the surrender of all Prussian territory west of the river Elbe, the Grand
Duchy of Berg and the kingdom of Westphalia. Almost all of Prussian Poland went to the Grand
Duchy of Warsaw, except Danzig, which was made a free city under French protection. The
remainder of Prussia would have to join in war on England if requested.
Prussia also was slapped with huge reparations. Luise, with
her regal bearing and great beauty, met with and personally
appealed to Napoleon to reconsider his harsh demands,
begging for mercy on behalf of the Prussian people. But he
remained unmoved and politely sent her away. Luise
unsuccessfully and repeatedly tried to change Napoleon's
mind.She and the King visited St.Petersburg, and upon their
return she had another baby boy but her recovery was slow.
her regal bearing and great beauty, met with and personally
appealed to Napoleon to reconsider his harsh demands,
begging for mercy on behalf of the Prussian people. But he
remained unmoved and politely sent her away. Luise
unsuccessfully and repeatedly tried to change Napoleon's
mind.She and the King visited St.Petersburg, and upon their
return she had another baby boy but her recovery was slow.
In December, 1809, they returned to Berlin to find Charlottenburg Palace terribly plundered by the
French, and much of its art stolen, including a portrait of Luise. The grounds were destroyed and the
gardens trampled. In the spring, they moved back to Potsdam. Napoleon continued to demand unjust
reparations. He wanted money, land or the citizens to all pay a tax.
French, and much of its art stolen, including a portrait of Luise. The grounds were destroyed and the
gardens trampled. In the spring, they moved back to Potsdam. Napoleon continued to demand unjust
reparations. He wanted money, land or the citizens to all pay a tax.
The Queen bravely tried to keep her family together and
encourage the people, but the stress, constant moving and less
than adequate living conditions had weakened her considerably.
She became homesick for her native home in Mecklenburg and
she decided to visit and see her family, rest and relax. On June
25,1810 she left Potsdam, to be joined by her husband on the
28th. She was delighted being home.
encourage the people, but the stress, constant moving and less
than adequate living conditions had weakened her considerably.
She became homesick for her native home in Mecklenburg and
she decided to visit and see her family, rest and relax. On June
25,1810 she left Potsdam, to be joined by her husband on the
28th. She was delighted being home.
"Dear father" she wrote on a note, "today I am very happy as
your daughter and as the wife of the best of men." These
would be the last words she would ever write. The next day she
stayed in bed with a fever. Her husband left for home after
three days, unaware that anything serious was wrong. On July
18th, he was finally sent for. Luise had been asking for him by
the time he arrived. The doctors asked the bereaved King to
see if his beloved wife had any last wishes.
your daughter and as the wife of the best of men." These
would be the last words she would ever write. The next day she
stayed in bed with a fever. Her husband left for home after
three days, unaware that anything serious was wrong. On July
18th, he was finally sent for. Luise had been asking for him by
the time he arrived. The doctors asked the bereaved King to
see if his beloved wife had any last wishes.
As he sobbed by her side, she kissed and reassured him. But within minutes her breath became
labored and the 34 year old Queen quietly died. All of Berlin grieved and all of the church bells in the
city were set tolling.
labored and the 34 year old Queen quietly died. All of Berlin grieved and all of the church bells in the
city were set tolling.
Crowds stood in silent prayer and soft weeping. At every spot
where her coffin had touched the earth on its journey to Berlin,
a monument to Luise rose up and a mausoleum was built in the
park of Charlottenburg Palace. Luise had once discovered a
talented man working at the palace named Christian Daniel
Rauchand, and she sent him away so he would receive an
education. He sculpted a magnificent statue for her grave.
where her coffin had touched the earth on its journey to Berlin,
a monument to Luise rose up and a mausoleum was built in the
park of Charlottenburg Palace. Luise had once discovered a
talented man working at the palace named Christian Daniel
Rauchand, and she sent him away so he would receive an
education. He sculpted a magnificent statue for her grave.
| Königin Luise von Preußen: The Symbol of a Struggle against Tyranny |
In 1793, the year that the French royal family was executed, Luise, her sister Frederika and their
grandmother were attending the French Theater in Frankfurt, and there she first saw the young
Crown Prince of Prussia, who would later be King Friedrich Wilhelm III. They met formally at a
luncheon the next day and it was love at first sight. In a remarkable stroke of fate, on the following
day the Crown Prince proposed to Luise and his brother Louis proposed to her sister Frederika. The
double wedding was set for December 1793 and their world was set ablaze with excitement.
grandmother were attending the French Theater in Frankfurt, and there she first saw the young
Crown Prince of Prussia, who would later be King Friedrich Wilhelm III. They met formally at a
luncheon the next day and it was love at first sight. In a remarkable stroke of fate, on the following
day the Crown Prince proposed to Luise and his brother Louis proposed to her sister Frederika. The
double wedding was set for December 1793 and their world was set ablaze with excitement.
Following Napoleon's defeat in Russia, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III. was still mourning the
loss of his wife, the most beloved queen in German history and the woman who bravely stood up to
Napoleon and begged mercy for her people. He then himself travelled with the main army of Prince
Schwarzenberg, along with Alexander of Russia and Franz of Austria, to stop Napoleon once and for
all. On Sunday, June 18th, 1815, Napoleon met his fate at Waterloo. Some say it is due in great part
to the bravery of the 30,000 Prussians under the command of General Friedrich Wilhelm von Bülow
who raged into the battle against the French, who had for so long oppressed and humiliated them,
crying out "For Queen Luise!"
loss of his wife, the most beloved queen in German history and the woman who bravely stood up to
Napoleon and begged mercy for her people. He then himself travelled with the main army of Prince
Schwarzenberg, along with Alexander of Russia and Franz of Austria, to stop Napoleon once and for
all. On Sunday, June 18th, 1815, Napoleon met his fate at Waterloo. Some say it is due in great part
to the bravery of the 30,000 Prussians under the command of General Friedrich Wilhelm von Bülow
who raged into the battle against the French, who had for so long oppressed and humiliated them,
crying out "For Queen Luise!"
Beethoven played for the Prussian King in 1796, and when he composed his Symphony No. 9 in d minor, opus 125,
commonly known as the Ode to Joy, he dedicated it to König Friedrich Wilhelm III. von Preußen. Friedrich Wilhelm died
on June 7, 1840.
commonly known as the Ode to Joy, he dedicated it to König Friedrich Wilhelm III. von Preußen. Friedrich Wilhelm died
on June 7, 1840.
The most beloved German queen in history, Luise Augusta Wilhelmina
Amelia was born at Herrenhausen Palace in Hannover on March 10, 1776,
the sixth child of Prince Karl Louis Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and
Princess Frederika Caroline Luise, daughter of Prince Georg Wilhelm of
Hesse-Darmstadt. Luise's mother died in childbirth when Luise was six
years old and her father almost immediately married her maternal aunt, who
also died in childbirth within one year, leaving a son. Luise and her sisters
were educated by a Swiss governess. She was a pretty and vivacious young
woman, and people were attracted to her gentle, charming nature.
Amelia was born at Herrenhausen Palace in Hannover on March 10, 1776,
the sixth child of Prince Karl Louis Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and
Princess Frederika Caroline Luise, daughter of Prince Georg Wilhelm of
Hesse-Darmstadt. Luise's mother died in childbirth when Luise was six
years old and her father almost immediately married her maternal aunt, who
also died in childbirth within one year, leaving a son. Luise and her sisters
were educated by a Swiss governess. She was a pretty and vivacious young
woman, and people were attracted to her gentle, charming nature.