Queen Sophie, ca. 1572

Queen Sophie, wife of Frederik II. Painted by Hans Knieper, probably six years after the couple’s marriage in 1572. The Queen is alledgedly wearing her wedding costume and a crown of gold with pearls. Sofie of Mecklenburg was actually Frederik II’s cousin, and she met him as part of an entourage as a teenager. They got married when she was only 14 years of age, and Frederik II a total of 23 years older!