Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

The Year of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – The birth of a stillborn daughter

On 24 December 1793, Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz married the future King Frederick William III of Prussia. By mid-May, Frederick William left for the army, but Louise wrote to him often. By then, she was already pregnant with their first child. Frederick William returned home in September, just in time for Louise’s confinement. Louise wrote happily [read more]
Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

The Year of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – The life and death of Prince Albert of Prussia (Part two)

Read part one here. Caroline von Rochow, a lady-in-waiting, commented on Albert’s marriage, “He had consistently displayed a kind of childlike love for his cheerful cousin, and he seized the opportunity of her broken engagement to the Prince of Vasa to ask his father for permission to take his place. The King was fond of [read more]
Augusta of Saxe-Weimar

The Year of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach: The duty to appear German (Part four)

Read part three here. Augusta did not get along with her sister-in-law, Elisabeth, who was now Queen. Augusta often attended the opera, but if the King and Queen were expected there, she would stay away. Once when Elisabeth unexpectedly appeared, she was told that the Queen wished her to retire. Fortunately, her relationship with the [read more]
Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

The Year of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – The life and death of Prince Albert of Prussia (Part one)

Prince Albert of Prussia was born on 4 October 1809 as the fourth surviving son and youngest child of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of Prussia and King Frederick William III of Prussia. His elder siblings were the future Frederick William IV, King of Prussia; the future William I, German Emperor; Charlotte, the future Empress of [read more]
Augusta of Saxe-Weimar

The Year of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach: Becoming a mother (Part three)

Read part two here. Augusta did have some difficulty adjusting to life at the Prussian court. However, she certainly wasn’t bored. To her sister-in-law, Louise, she wrote about her daily routine, “English, drawing, and music lessons. I get out of the drive every day; I ride often and also go to the theatre a great [read more]
Augusta of Saxe-Weimar

The Year of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz – Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach: Facing her future with resignation (Part two)

Read part one here. While William may have acted positively toward Augusta’s parents, he wrote to his sister Charlotte, “The Princess is beautiful and clever, but she leaves me cold.” Augusta’s father made him wait several weeks before responding, “I confess to you that I will not say no if my daughter expresses her yes.” [read more]