Princess Frederica Charlotte Of Prussia

Princess Frederica Charlotte of Prussia (Friederike Charlotte Ulrike Katharina), born on 7 May 1767 in Charlottenburg, was a daughter of King Frederick William II of Prussia and Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Lüneburg. She was the eldest child of her parents and the only child from her mother's first marriage. At her birth, her granduncle Frederick the Great was reigning as King of Prussia, and her father was the nephew and heir presumptive to the throne. Her mother, Elisabeth Christine, was also a niece of the King.

Elisabeth Christine's marriage to Frederick William II was marked by infidelity, leading to a public scandal after her affair with musicians and officers became known. In 1769, Elisabeth Christine became pregnant, and subsequent plans for her to escape with her lover were thwarted, resulting in her imprisonment. She was placed under house arrest at the castle of Stettin, where she remained until her death in 1840 at the age of 93. Following her disgrace, Elisabeth Christine was effectively separated from her daughter, Frederica Charlotte, who was only two years old at the time and never saw her mother again. Frederick the Great expressed compassion for Elisabeth Christine and entrusted Frederica Charlotte to her own wife, Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern, with whom she had a close relationship. Frederica Charlotte was raised in the household of Queen Elisabeth Christine and maintained correspondence with her foster mother throughout her life.

On 29 September 1791, Frederica Charlotte married Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, at Charlottenburg Palace. A second wedding ceremony was held at Buckingham House on 23 November of the same year. The marriage was intended to produce heirs for the British throne, as the Prince of Wales was childless and regarded his marriage as non-dynastic due to his relationship with Maria Fitzherbert. The choice of Frederica Charlotte was influenced by Frederick the Great, who was pleased with her demeanor after viewing a letter showcasing her gentle nature. Queen Charlotte, the mother of the groom, expressed warm sentiments about Frederica Charlotte and welcomed her into the royal family.

Their marriage in 1791 resulted in no children, and by 1794, the couple had separated. Frederica Charlotte retired to Oatlands Park, Weybridge, where she lived independently until her death. The separation was amicable, though no reconciliation occurred. She was described as well-informed, liking society, but disliking formality, and was known for her eccentricities, including her fondness for animals such as cats, dogs, and monkeys. She was also known to partake in high-stakes gambling at Oatlands. Her household was characterized by a degree of German severity, and she was considered to have a somewhat eccentric personality.

Frederica Charlotte died on 6 August 1820 at Oatlands Park, Weybridge, Surrey, England. She is commemorated by a monument erected by the local community on Monument Green in Weybridge.

Her ancestry includes her paternal lineage from the House of Hohenzollern and maternal lineage from the Brunswick-Lüneburg family.