Sophie Caroline Marie Of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

Sophie Caroline Marie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was born on October 7, 1737, and died on December 22, 1817. She was the eldest daughter of Charles I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, and Philippine Charlotte of Prussia, who was a sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia.

In 1753, an attempted marriage alliance was proposed between Sophie Caroline and George, Prince of Wales, the future King George III of Great Britain. The proposal was supported by George II of Great Britain as a means to strengthen relations with Prussia. Sophie Caroline was a niece of Frederick II of Prussia, which made her a suitable match in the context of diplomatic efforts. However, the marriage was ultimately not arranged. The Prince of Wales's mother, Augusta, Dowager Princess of Wales, opposed the match and favored an alternative union between her son and Frederica, Sophie Caroline's cousin. The Prince of Wales likewise declined the marriage, citing he would not be "bewolfenbuttelled," reflecting his opposition. This rejection also aligned with shifting British foreign policy interests, particularly the reduced importance of maintaining close relations with Hanover, from which George V and his family descended. Despite the failed match, familial ties persisted: Sophie Caroline's brother, Charles II, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, married Princess Augusta of Great Britain in 1764, and George III's son, George IV, married Caroline of Brunswick, the daughter of Sophie Caroline's brother, thus maintaining close dynastic connections.

On September 20, 1759, in Brunswick, Sophie Caroline married Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth. The marriage occurred nearly a year after the death of Frederick's first wife, Princess Wilhelmine of Prussia. Frederick was 26 years older than Sophie Caroline. The union was childless; however, Frederick had a daughter from his previous marriage, Margravine Elisabeth Fredericka Sophie of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, who was five years older than Sophie Caroline. Frederick died on February 26, 1763, and was succeeded by his uncle, Frederick Christian, due to the absence of male heirs from the marriage.

Sophie Caroline remained widowed throughout her life and did not remarry following Frederick's death. She lived to the age of 80 years and passed away on December 22, 1817.