Princess Louise Of Denmark

Princess Louise of Denmark and Norway (Danish: Louise af Danmark og Norge) was born on 30 January 1750 at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. She was the daughter of Frederick V of Denmark and Norway and Louise of Great Britain. Her siblings included Princess Sophia Magdalena, Princess Wilhelmina Caroline, and Crown Prince Christian. Her mother died in 1751 during her sixth pregnancy, and her father remarried Duchess Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel in 1752, resulting in the birth of her half-brother, Prince Frederick, in 1753.

Princess Louise was recognized as the most beautiful and spirited among her siblings, characterized by a reserved nature. She was particularly close to her brother, King Christian VII, who preferred her as his sister from childhood.

In 1756, Queen Louise's sister, Mary of Hesse-Kassel, relocated to Denmark to care for her late sister's children, bringing her three sons, including Landgrave Charles of Hesse-Kassel. On 30 August 1766, Louise married Landgrave Charles at Christiansborg Palace Chapel with the approval of her brother, King Christian VII. The marriage faced initial criticism due to accusations against her husband but took place despite opposition and the couple subsequently moved to Hanau in 1767.

Louise and Charles had six children:

- Marie Sophie, Princess of Hesse (b. 20 October 1767), married the future King Frederik VI of Denmark and Norway.

- Wilhelm, Prince of Hesse (b. 15 January 1769, d. 14 July 1772).

- Prince Frederik of Hesse (b. 24 May 1771).

- Juliane, Princess of Hesse (b. 19 January 1773), served as Protestant Abbess of Itzehoe.

- Prince Christian of Hesse (b. 14 August 1776).

- Princess Louise Caroline of Hesse-Kassel (b. 28 September 1789), married Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, in 1810.

The family spent time at Gottorp Castle after her husband was appointed governor of Schleswig-Holstein, and in 1770, King Christian VII granted her land in Güby, Schleswig-Holstein, named Louisenlund in her honor. During a 1770 tour of the Duchies, she hosted the King and Queen, with rumors of an affair between Queen Caroline Matilda and Johann Friedrich Struensee circulating during their stay.

Following her husband's appointment as commander-in-chief of the Norwegian army in September 1772, Louise accompanied him to Norway in 1773. Their reception in Christiania was enthusiastic; however, expenses incurred during their stay created public dissatisfaction. The couple departed Norway in September 1773 after hosting a ball and court reception.

Louise's husband built Louisenlund Castle as a summer residence, and she continued to reside there after their move in 1774. Her husband attained the rank of Field Marshal in 1774 but remained largely absent from political life, residing at Louisenlund until the political upheaval in April 1784, which brought a new government and closer ties with Crown Prince Frederik.

Her later children included Prince Christian of Hesse and Princess Louise Caroline of Hesse-Kassel. Her husband remained an influential military figure and governor of Schleswig-Holstein until 1814.

Princess Louise died at Gottorp Castle on 12 January 1831 and was interred at Schleswig Cathedral.