The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborg1650-1675Sophie Amalie in Coronation Robes

Frederik III and Sophie Amalie in coronation robes, 1648. Frederik III wears Christian IV’s crown, redesigned as a closed crown with arches. Miniature in oils, artist unknown.

Relations

Sophie Amalie

Sophie Amalie became Queen of Denmark in 1648. She was the daughter of Duke George of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and in 1643 she was married to Frederik (III). Sophie Amalie was the mother of Christian V.

Frederik III

Frederik III was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1648; he was married to Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg in 1643 and father to Christian V.

Bust of Sophie Amalie

Wax bust of Sophie Amalie. As opposed to the bust of Frederik III, the Queen’s bust was made in her own lifetime.The cabinet was made by Dietrich Schäffer 1742-1743.

The Queen's Crown

The Queen's Crown, made for Queen Sophie Magdalene by court jeweller Frederik (I) Fabritius in 1731.

Sophie Amalie, 1675

Queen Sophie Amalie. Painting by Abraham Wuchters.

The homage of 1660

Paying homage to the Hereditary King in front of the Castle of Copenhagen, 18th October, 1660.

‘Throwing Coins’ from the Coronation of Frederik III in 1648

At the coronation on 23 November 1648 in Copenhagen, the king rode in a procession from the Church of Our Lady to Copenhagen Castle. He may have been seated in the exhibited saddle, which was, however, made for his elder brother’s wedding in 1634. The magnificent saddle can be seen in the same display case as the coins. Behind the king rode people who threw these specially minted ‘largesse’ coins to the rabble. At the same time the city’s fountains flowed with wine, and portions of roast ox were handed out — all ways in which the king displayed his wealth and his ability to provide for his people. The tradition of throwing coins to the rabble isn’t particularly Danish; it is known across Europe and stems from antiquity. There is no explanation for why the coins are square rather than round. For the anointing of Christian V in 1670 they were even triangular!