Caroline Amalie, daughter of Duke Frederik Christian of Augustenborg and Princess Louise Augusta, spent her early years in Dehns Palace in Bredgade. After her father fell out with Frederik VI in 1810, the family moved to Augustenborg Castle on Als.

Shortly before her 19th birthday in 1815, Caroline Amalie married Christian (VIII) Frederik, who had previously been married to Princess Charlotte Frederikke. The marriage was harmonious and loving, and they lived a sociable and outgoing life.

Caroline Amalie was involved in social work and founded several orphanages for children. She was one of the first Grundtvigians and found great inspiration in Grundtvig for her social work.

Caroline Amalie became queen dowager in 1848 after 33 years of marriage. Her Augustenborg roots aroused suspicion among many Danes, but after the loss of the duchies in 1864, her popularity increased, especially due to her great commitment to charity

Caroline Amalie died in 1881, at the age of 84, at Amalienborg. Her charitable work earned her the legacy of "Mother of Poor Children." She bequeathed her fortune to "Caroline Amalie's Asylum and Asylum School," which she had established in 1829.

In 1896, Caroline Amalie became the first woman to have a statue in a public square, erected in Kongens Have near Rosenborg Castle. She is buried next to Christian VIII in Roskilde Cathedral.