Caroline Matilda of Wales facts for kids

Caroline Matilda of Wales

Caroline Matilda of Great Britain (born 11 July 1751 – died 10 May 1775) was a Queen of Denmark and Norway from 1766 to 1772. She was also a member of the British Royal Family, meaning she was related to the King of Great Britain.

Early Life and Marriage

Caroline Matilda was born in July 1751. She was the youngest child of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and his wife, Augusta.

On 8 November 1766, Caroline Matilda married Christian VII of Denmark at Christiansborg Castle. She became the Queen of Denmark and Norway. The king, Christian VII, had some serious health challenges that made it difficult for him to rule the country.

Despite these challenges, the marriage resulted in two children. Caroline Matilda had a son, who later became Frederick VI of Denmark, and a daughter, Princess Louise Augusta.

Life in Denmark

Life at the Danish court was not easy for Caroline Matilda. Because of the king's health, a powerful doctor named Johann Friedrich Struensee gained a lot of influence in the government. He introduced many new ideas and changes to Denmark.

Queen Caroline Matilda supported these changes. However, many people at court and in the government did not like Struensee's power or his new ideas. This led to a lot of tension and disagreement.

Later Years and Death

In 1772, a group of people who opposed Struensee and his reforms took action. Struensee was arrested and later executed. Queen Caroline Matilda was also arrested and sent away from Denmark. She was sent to live in Celle, a town in Germany.

Caroline Matilda died in May 1775, when she was only 23 years old. She passed away from an illness. She is remembered as a queen who faced many challenges during her short life.

Images for kids

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  Caroline Matilda in her mother's arms, detail from George Knapton's 1751 group portrait The Children of Frederick, Prince of Wales

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  Caroline Matilda, aged 3. Pastel by Jean-Étienne Liotard, 1754 (the Royal Collection).

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  The 16-year-old Queen stands next to her sister, Princess Louisa of Great Britain, by Francis Cotes

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  The departure of Caroline Matilda from Harwich for Rotterdam on board the yacht Mary on 3 October 1766. Landguard Fort on the left of the picture. Oil painting by Robert Wilkins, c. 1766-1767.

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  Portrait by Catherine Read, 1767

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  Engraving of Caroline Matilda after giving birth to the future Frederick VI of Denmark

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  Monument in Celle, Germany.

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  Kristian Zahrtmann: Scene from the court of Christian VII. History painting from 1873 at the Hirschsprung Collection.

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  Kristian Zahrtmann: Interior from the court of Christian VII. History painting from 1881 at the Hirschsprung Collection.

See also

In Spanish: Carolina Matilde de Gran Bretaña para niños