Adolf Fredrik Of Sweden

Adolf Frederick (Swedish: Adolf Fredrik; German: Adolf Friedrich) was born on 14 May 1710 at Gottorf Castle, near Schleswig in the Duchy of Schleswig. He died on 12 February 1771 in Stockholm. He was the son of Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, Prince of Eutin, and Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach. His father, Christian August, was a younger son of Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, and served as the protestant prince-bishop of Lübeck from 1705. During the Great Northern War, Christian August acted as administrator of the duchies of Holstein-Gottorp for his nephew, Duke Charles Frederick.

His mother, Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach, was a descendant of Swedish royal dynasties and a great-granddaughter of Princess Catherine of Sweden, the mother of King Charles X of Sweden. On his maternal side, Adolf Frederick was descended from King Gustav Vasa through Christina Magdalena, sister of King Charles X.

From 1727 to 1750, Adolf Frederick held the position of prince-bishop of Lübeck, governing around Eutin. After the death of his first cousin, Charles Frederick, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, in 1739, he became administrator of Holstein-Kiel during the minority of the duke’s orphaned son, Charles Peter Ulrich, who later became Peter III of Russia upon invitation by Empress Elizabeth.

In 1743, Adolf Frederick was elected heir to the Swedish throne by the Hat faction (Swedish: Hattarna), which sought better conditions at the Treaty of Åbo with Empress Elizabeth. The following year, he married Princess Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, sister of Frederick the Great of Prussia, on 18 August/29 August 1744 at Drottningholm.

He ascended to the throne of Sweden on 25 March 1751, succeeding King Frederick I. His coronation took place on 26 November 1751 at Stockholm Cathedral. Adolf Frederick’s accession marked the return of the House of Oldenburg to the Swedish throne after 220 years through its Holstein-Gottorp branch. His reign lasted until his death in 1771 and was characterized by limited personal influence, with the Swedish Riksdag of the Estates holding most political power.

During his rule, efforts to restore absolute monarchy, such as the Coup of 1756 encouraged by Queen Louisa Ulrika and the December Crisis of 1768 led by his son Gustav, were unsuccessful or inconclusive. His policies maintained internal peace but resulted in stagnation of the kingdom’s finances, especially following failed mercantilist policies implemented by the Hat administration.

Adolf Frederick died suddenly in Stockholm on 12 February 1771. Symptoms at death resembled either heart failure or poisoning, though contemporary stories attributing his death to overindulgence are now considered propaganda. His son, Gustav III, seized power in a coup in 1772, reinstating absolute monarchy.

He was known to have a scientific interest, particularly in astronomy, and possessed talents in military matters and music. Personal hobbies included woodworking, especially making snuffboxes. He was described as a caring family man and was well-regarded by those close to him.

Adolf Frederick fathered five children with his wife, Princess Louisa Ulrika:

- Stillborn child in 1745

- Gustav III (1746–1792)

- Charles XIII (1748–1818)

- Frederick Adolf (1750–1803)

- Sofia Albertina (1753–1829)

He also had illegitimate offspring, including Adolf Fredriksson with Jeanne Du Londel, and a son named Frederici with Marguerite Morel, both of whom died young. It is believed but unconfirmed that he fathered Lolotte Forssberg by Ulla von Liewen.

Adolf Frederick’s ancestry includes prominent Swedish and German royal lines, linking him to the House of Holstein-Gottorp and Swedish royalty.