The Royal Danish CollectionAmalienborgThe kingsFrederik VIFrederik VI's robe

Frederik VI’s robe

Throughout Frederik 6th’s entire life Europe was at war, and he almost always wore a uniform. He was Commander in Chief for the country’s military forces, like Queen Margrethe is today, and he had a general’s uniform for every regiment. This uniform is from the “Life Guards Infantry”, with its characteristic, silver-embroidered bows on the coat front. The embroidered red coat was used from 1785, but in 1848 it was replaced with a blue uniform coat without the expensive silver embroidery. The pale blue trousers are still part of the uniform, and they are worn by the Queen’s Life Guard which stands guard at the Amalienborg Palace, and marches through the streets of Copenhagen every day.

The King’s tall hat is called a “chacot”, and is decorated with a 40 cm long, white pompom with a blue top. Frederik 6th wasn’t very tall, about 5’2”, but this was not very obvious when he wore this hat. Its braided gold thread cords fastened the hat to the top buttons of his uniform, so it didn’t blow off in the wind. The King wears the medal of the Dannebrogsmænd on his left breast.

Relations

1800-1825

At the beginning of the 19th century, the long peaceful period ended. International relations in connection with the Napoleonic Wars made it difficult for Denmark to stay neutral.

Louise Augusta

Princess Louise Augusta was married to Frederik Christian of Augustenborg in 1786. She was the mother of Caroline Mathilde, the Queen of Christian VIII.

Vilhelmine

Princess Vilhelmine was the daughter of Frederik VI and Marie Sophie Frederikke. She was married to Prince Frederik (VII) from 1828 to 1837 and from 1838 to Duke Carl of Schleswig-Holstein.

Christian VII

Christian VII was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1766, son of Frederik V and Louise of Great Britain. Married in 1766 to Caroline Mathilde of Great Britain and father of Frederik VI.

Statuette of bronzed gypsum

The statuette of bronzed gypsym portrays king Frederik VI. The military dressing, that marks the king´s appearance on several paintings in this room, is also present with this artifact. The figurine is made in 1810 a time of a deep political crisis in Denmark-Norway in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars. The crisis culminateed with the state bankruptcy of 1813 and the loss of Norway the following year. Those years have been stamped by war and crisis and hence the king is dressed in the uniform of the Royal Life Guard and holds his left hand on the saber, seeking support from the weapon.

Marie Sophie Frederikke

Marie Sophie Frederikke became Queen of Denmark in 1808. She was the daughter of Landgrave Carl of Hesse-Kassel and married Frederik (VI) in 1790.

Caroline Mathilde

Caroline Mathilde became the Queen of Denmark in 1766, when she married Christian VII. She was a sister of King George III of Great Britain. Caroline Mathilde was the mother of Frederik VI and Princess Louise Augusta.

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.