The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgFrederik the Heir Presumptive

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. Whether Frederik was the father is contested.

At the beginning of the 1770’s, Frederik was a central figure in the opposition against the reign of J.F. Struensee. The Heir Presumptive was nevertheless a weak and incompetent politician. He became the leader of government instead of his mentally ill half-brother, Christian VII. However, real political power after the fall of Struensee in 1772 lay first and foremost with the Queen Dowager Juliane Marie and the Heir Presumptive’s former teacher, Ove Høegh-Guldberg.

After 1784, when Crown Prince Frederik (VI) took power from Høegh-Guldberg in a coup, Frederik’s political life was over. From that time he lived as a private person, first in Christiansborg Palace, and, after that burned down, in the palaces of Amalienborg and Sorgenfri.

Relations

14 Frederik V's Cabinet

This is the first of the rooms occupied by Frederik IV's brother, Prince Carl.

1775-1800

The time of peace lasted to the end of the century, and neutral Denmark continued to enjoy an economic upturn. At the same time a Danish nationalist tendency made its mark.

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.

Frederik V

Frederik V was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1746; son of Christian VI and Sophie Magdalene of Brandenburg-Kulmbach, and father of Christian (VII).

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.

Frederik VI

Frederik VI was the King of Denmark from 1808 and of Norway 1808-1814; son of Christian VII and Caroline Mathilde of Great Britain. He had no male heirs.

Christian VIII

Christian VIII was the King of Denmark from 1839. His mother was Sophie Frederikke, wife of Christian VII's brother Prince Frederik, the Heir Presumptive.

19 The Corridor

The Corridor on the second floor connects the central room on the floor, The Rose, with the South-end of the Palace.