Queen Juliane Marie
Juliane Marie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1729–1796) was Queen, and later Queen Dowager, of Denmark. She played a key role in Danish political life, especially in the coup against Struensee, in 1772, and during the subsequent Guldberg era.
Strict upbringing
Juliane Marie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (1729–1796) was born as the daughter of a duke in Wolfenbüttel, Germany. Her parents were Duke Ferdinand Albert II of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and Antoinette Amalie of Brunswick. She grew up with many siblings and received a strict upbringing, as was common in many of the smaller German princely families.
Marriage with Frederik V
In 1752, she married Frederik V and thus became Queen of Denmark and Norway. Because their wedding took place within months of the popular Queen Louise’s death, Juliane Marie was initially not very popular among the people of Copenhagen.
The following year, in 1753, Juliane Marie gave birth to a son, Prince Frederik, the Heir Presumptive. As queen, she stood in the shadow of her predecessor, but after the death of Frederik V, in 1766, she became a key political figure. She became known for her opposition to Christian VII’s physician, J. F. Struensee, and played an important role in the coup in 1772 that led to his downfall. For example, it was Juliane Marie who got Christian VII to sign the arrest warrants for Struensee and his supporters.
Political influence and the Guldberg regime
After Struensee’s downfall, Juliane Marie secured a seat on the Council of State for her son, Prince Frederik, the Heir Presumptive. However, the real power rested with Ove Høegh-Guldberg and his Privy Cabinet (which can be compared with today’s Prime Minister’s Department), where Juliane Marie also wielded considerable influence. This period, which lasted from 1772 to 1784, has later become known as the Guldberg regime. It was a time of many conservative reforms. Juliane Marie and Høegh-Guldberg sought to win favour with the growing middle class, and for a time, she was a popular public figure.
Later life and death
Juliane Marie was a deft political player, but her power waned in 1784, when Crown Prince Frederik (VI), the son of Christian VII and Queen Caroline Mathilde, took over as regent. From then on, Juliane Marie led a retired life. She died in 1796 at Fredensborg Palace, which she had expanded significantly. She was entombed in Roskilde Cathedral.
