Anne Catherine Of Brandenburg

Anne Catherine of Brandenburg (26 June 1575 – 8 April 1612) was Queen of Denmark and Norway from 1597 until her death in 1612, as the first wife of King Christian IV of Denmark. She was born in Halle (Saale) and was raised in Wolmirstedt. Her parents were Joachim Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg, and his first wife, Catherine of Brandenburg-Küstrin.

The pair met during Christian IV's journey through Germany in 1595. Christian decided to marry her following their acquaintance. In 1596, Anne Catherine and her parents attended Christian's coronation. The marriage was arranged in 1597, and she adopted the personal motto, "Rege me Jehova spirito sanctu tuo" ("Guide me, Jehovah, with your holy spirit"), which is inscribed above the gate of the courtyard at Frederiksborg Castle.

Anne Catherine was married to Christian IV on 27 November 1597 at Haderslevhus Castle in South Jutland. She was crowned queen in 1598. She was supported by Beate Huitfeldt as the head of her ladies-in-waiting. Throughout her marriage, she bore seven children, though only three survived into adulthood: Christian, the Prince-Elect, who predeceased his father; Frederick III, who later became king and introduced absolute monarchy to Denmark and Norway; and Ulrik, who was murdered in 1633. The two daughters, Princess Sophie and Princess Elisabeth, as well as her eldest son, Frederick, died at early ages.

There is limited information regarding her political influence, but she frequently accompanied King Christian on his travels. She was noted for her modesty and deep religious convictions. While her marriage’s personal happiness is not explicitly documented, it is known that her husband engaged in extramarital relationships toward the end of their marriage, notably with Kirsten Madsdatter. The construction of Rosenborg Castle commenced during her tenure as queen, although her specific influence on its design and decor remains unclear. Despite her Lutheran faith and her relationship with the bishop, she requested a Calvinist vicar to administer her last sacraments prior to her death.

Anne Catherine died in Copenhagen and was buried in Roskilde Cathedral.

Her children included:

- A stillborn son in 1598,

- Frederick, Hereditary Prince of Denmark (born 15 August 1599, died 9 September 1599),

- Christian, Hereditary Prince of Denmark (10 April 1603 – 2 June 1647), married Magdalene Sibylle of Saxony,

- Princess Sophie (4 January 1605 – 7 September 1605),

- Princess Elisabeth (16 March 1606 – 24 October 1608),

- Frederick III (18 March 1609 – 9 February 1670), married Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Calenberg, with issue,

- Ulrik, Prince-Bishop of Schwerin (2 February 1611 – 12 August 1633), who died unmarried.

She was of Brandenburg lineage, and her ancestry includes members of the House of Hohenzollern.