The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgCastle historyInterior and objects18 Frederik VII's RoomFrederik VII, 1861

Frederik VII, 1861

Portrait of Frederik VII. Painting by I. Vilhelm Gertner, 1861. Only two years after the  completion of this painting Frederik VII, who is regarded as one of the most treasured kings in danish history, died. Much of his popularity can be traced back to his signing of the first constitution, obviously a moment of some significance for the modern observer. Not only is he considered a great statesman through the ages, but in his day he was also thought of foremostly as a man of the people, his motto being “The love of the people – My strength!”.

Relations

Frederik VII's megaphone

Frederik VII applied this megaphone, made of nickel silver, on board the steam schooner “Falken” (The Falcon). The ship was the monarchs private property, but was equipped and maintained by the Royal Danish Navy. The megaphone was used to address the ships crew, 16 men in total. The 19th century was stamped by industrial enterprise and nickel silver was no exception to this. The alloying of copper, nickel and zinc is an artifical material from industrial production. It resembles silver in style and characteristics but contains no elemental silver. As Frederik VII’s helmet of aluminium, displayed in the same room, the megaphone illustrates the king’s interest in modern inventions and the technological developement.

Frederik VII, 1824

Frederik VII as a young man. Painted by C.A. Jensen, 1824.

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.

1850-1875

The social and political revolts in Europe in 1848 had ushered in new times for European states, and for Denmark too. But even though the absolute monarchy was abolished with the Constitution of 1849, the monarchy was far from disengaged from power.

Frederik VII

Frederik VII was the King of Denmark from 1848; son of Christian VIII and Charlotte Frederikke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He was married three times but had no heirs.

Frederik VII's uniform

Frederik VII’s general’s uniform, complete with tunic, trousers, scarf, sabre, sword belt, cartridge pouch and an aluminium helmet with a crowned lion, and the king’s decorations.

Countess Danner, photo

Countess Danner, Frederik VII's third wife. Coloured photograph.

Frederik VII's helmet

Frederik VII’s general’s helmet made of aluminium, by J.B. Dalhoff, c. 1859. The lightweight aluminium was then a newly developed and very expensive metal.