Prussia

Read part four here. Over the next few years, Auguste travelled to Switzerland several times. In 1844, Auguste moved into a house on the edge of Sanssouci Park, which is now called Villa Liegnitz. She was often visited by Princess Marie, the wife of her stepson, Prince Charles. While travelling in 1847, she received an [read more]

Read part three here. Their last trip together took place in the summer of 1839. King Frederick William’s health declined quickly in the spring of 1840. Bishop Eylert, who had married the couple, wrote, “The ruler’s seventh decade was near, a high stage he had reached, when he began to age and visibly deteriorate. His [read more]

Read part two here. Suspicion of the new Catholic Princess of Liegnitz ran high in Berlin. Strange rumours began to spread, including one that claimed that Auguste had been sold to the King by her parents. Auguste’s parents also received the displeasure of the public. It would take some time before Auguste would win the [read more]

Read part one here. The children were shocked, and “a palpable  sense of emotion was evident in every face; even the sons could not hold back their tears.” His daughter Charlotte was devastated but resigned herself to the situation. She wrote, “Princess Liegnitz has not introduced the slightest change into the course of daily life.” Her [read more]