The Royal Danish CollectionRosenborgSophie Hedevig

Sophie Hedevig

Princess Sophie Hedevig was the daughter of Christian V and Charlotte Amalie. She was the sister of Frederik IV.

As a child, Sophie Hedevig was engaged to Prince John George of Saxony but the engagement was dissolved. Attempts to arrange a marriage between her and Charles XII of Sweden and later the King of Rome, Joseph I, were also unsuccesful, and she stayed unmarried throughout her life. She lived mostly with her mother, who died in 1714. Following the marriage between her brother Frederik IV and Anna Sophie, Sophie Hedevig and her brother Carl left the Court. She moved to Vemmetofte on the peninsula of Stevns. Here she established a foundation for nobleladies in her will.

Sophie Hedevig was interested in music and painting, and she owned a large collection of books on religion. After her death this was bequeathed to the University Library in Copenhagen.

Relations

9 The Princess' Chamber

This tower chamber was originally Christian IV's Golden Chamber and was decorated with floral designs on gilt wooden panelling.

Bénoit le Coffre

Bènoit le Coffre was the most important painter in Denmark during the reign of Frederik IV. He was born in Copenhagen and educated in Paris. In 1700 he was appointed Painter of the Court.

Charlotte Amalie

Charlotte Amalie became the Queen of Denmark in 1670. She was the daughter of Landgrave William VI of Hesse-Kassel. In 1667 she was married to Christian (V); as well as other children they had Frederik (IV).

Anna Sophie

Anna Sophie became Queen of Denmark in 1721. She was the daughter of the Great Chancellor Conrad Reventlow, and was married to Frederik IV. Anna Sophie met the King at a masked ball in 1711 and fell in love with him.

1675-1700

From 1675 to 1679 the Scanian War was fought with Sweden. But the final goal, to win back Scania, was not reached as no European state would allow both sides of Øresund to be ruled by the same power again.

1700-1725

The 18th century was initiated with yet another war between Denmark and Sweden. For Denmark the war was brief, but for Sweden it was the beginning of the Great Nordic War, which Denmark became part of again from 1709.

1725-1750

The conclusion of the Great Nordic War in 1720 was the beginning of a long Danish period of peace. Christian VI succeeded Frederik IV in 1730, and his was the first reign during which Denmark was not at war.

Christian V

Christian V was the King of Denmark-Norway from 1670; son of Frederik III and Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. He was married to Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel in 1667. He was the father of Frederik IV.