The Royal Danish CollectionAmalienborgThe PalaceInterior and objectsThe Appartement HallChristian VIII, 1831

Christian VIII, 1831

Christian VIII. Painted by L. Aumont, 1831. Christian VIII became king in 1839, and coronated as the last of the absolute monarchs in 1840. His mother, Sophie Frederikke, was married to the halfbrother of Christian VII, the Heir Presumptive Frederik. Despite this claim, it was believed that his actual father was the adjudant of the Heir Presumptive, called Frederik von Blücher.

When Frederik VI died without an immediate succesor, the choice was therefore the next in line Christian VIII, as decreed upon the conditions in the Lex Regia (Law of the King).

Relations

Coronation robe

Coronation robe of red silk velvet, embroidered in golden thread with 1400 royal crowns and lined with white rabbit fur. The edge of the upper side is made from ermine. Christian V wore this robe at his coronation in 1671.

Frederik VII as a child

Frederik VII as a child. Modelled by Bertel Thorvaldsen 1820, carved in marble 1825.

Mahogany desk

Mahogany desk with gilded bronze fittings from Christian VIII’s study at Amalienborg.

Christian VIII, coronation

The coronation of Christian VIII. Drawing by I.V. Gertner.

Mantelpiece clock

Mantelpiece clock with bronze statuette of Christian VIII. Made by A. & W. Jacobsen.

Frederik the Heir Presumptive

Frederik, the Danish Heir Presumptive, was the son of Frederik V and Juliane Marie. He was married to Sophie Frederikke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, who gave birth to Christian VIII.

1825-1850

The years towards the middle of the 19th century became increasingly marked by the national conflict between the Danes and Germans in the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. It culminated in the Three Years' War, or the First Schleswig War in 1848-51.