Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Crown Princess of Prussia
| Elisabeth Christine Ulrike of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Princess of Prussia | |||||
 Elisabeth Christine by Johann Georg Ziesenis (1965) | |||||
| Born | 8 November 1746 Wolfenbüttel | ||||
| Died | 18 February 1840 (aged 93) Stettin | ||||
| Burial | 19th July 1849 Ducal Castle Crypt, Stettin | ||||
| Spouse | Frederick William, Crown Prince of Prussia | ||||
| Issue | Frederica, Duchess of York and Albany | ||||
| |||||
| House | House of Hohenzollern House of Brunswick-Bevern | ||||
| Father | Charles I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel | ||||
| Mother | Philippine Charlotte of Prussia | ||||
Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (Elisabeth Christine Ulrike; 8 November 1746 – 18 February 1840), was the first wife of Prince Frederick William, her cousin and the future king Frederick William II of Prussia.
Princess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
Elisabeth Christine was born the seventh child and third daughter of Charles I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Princess Philippine Charlotte of Prussia, the sister of Frederick the Great. She held the rank of Duchess in Brunswick with the styles of Her Serene Highness Princess Elisabeth Christine.
Crown Princess of Prussia
She was selected by her uncle, the childless king, as a suitable bride for the heir of the throne of Prussia. On 14 July 1765, Elisabeth married Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, on the family country estate Schloss Salzdahlum.
Soon it became clear the couple was not happy with each other. King Frederick had hoped that the marriage would lead to the production of an heir, but instead noticed that Frederick William neglected his wife and was unfaithful to her on a daily basis. When their first child proved to be a girl, their relationship deteriorated. Wounded by her husband's neglect and infidelity, Elisabeth Christine began to have affairs with musicians and officers in Potsdam, which led to a scandal in 1769 when she became pregnant. Planning to escape with her lover, she was betrayed and the marriage was dissolved within a few days. Elisabeth Christine's brothers forced her to leave. The Crown Princess, who was allowed to keep her title, headed for Küstrin. The king forced his nephew to remarry within a few months.
In the mean time Elisabeth Christine was put under house arrest (as a prisoner of state) in the castle of Stettin, under the supervision of a relative. Eventually Frederick improved her living conditions. From 1774 on, her summer residence was in a medieval cloister in Jasenitz (Jasienica), now a district of Police in Pomerania. After the death of Frederick the Great in 1786, she was treated less strictly. When the French army occupied the city in 1810, Elisabeth moved to a small country estate outside the city walls, which she called Friedrichsgnade (Frederick's mercy).
Elisabeth Christine died at the age of 93, having outlived all her brothers and sisters. She had herself a mausoleum built in the park because she did not want to be buried with her relatives. It is possible that she was reburied in the cathedral of Kraków.
Titles, styles, honours and arms
Titles and styles
- 8 November 1746 – 14 July 1765 Her Serene Highness Princess Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg
- 14 July 1765 - 18 February 1840 Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Prussia
Ancestry
Issue
- Princess Frederica of Prussia (7 May 1767 – 6 August 1820) married Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany but remained childless.
References
- This article is based entirely or partially on its equivalent on Dutch Wikipedia.