Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp

Right here is a wedding portrait of the future Queen consort to Charles XIII of Sweden,Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp (1759-1818). Hedvig Elisabeth was 15 when she left her home at Eutin to marry the 28 year old Prince Charles of Sweden. She arrived in Wismar on the 3rd of June, where the first ceremony took place. The wedding celebration were believed to be luxurious, with one of the most notable events being a masquerade at Kungsträdgården in Stockholm. It was hoped that she would provide an heir to the throne-as king Gustav IV's marriage with Queen Sophia Magdalena of Denmark was believed to be unconsummated after 9 years. In January 1775, less than a year after her marriage, Hedvig showed signs of pregnancy; however these proved false.

Hedvig achieved personal success at the royal court with one observer noting:  "One can not imagine anything more lively and cheerful. She is joy itself. Her greatest pleasure is to make up jokes and foolishness. It would be a good thing, if she introduced that custom, as our by nature somewhat melancholic nation could need some cheering up". In fact, the young girl became renowned for her wittiness and jovial nature, outshining the timid Queen Sophia. It is said that her waist measured a mere 19 inches which would have been ideal for her day, in fact, her beauty was just as well noted as her vivacity. Her gorgeous wedding dress still survives (See Left).
 
One of the young Royal Duchess's loves was for the theater and she actively participated in performances at court, both as an actress and a dancer in amateur productions. This was quite acceptable for young women of the court, with plays being an important and popular form of entertainment. However, 'actress' and 'prostitute' were still almost synonymous during the late 18th century. Hedvig ceased her acting pursuits in around 1783.

Despite her apparent popularity, Hedvig's relationship with her husband was distant. Both were believed to have had extramarital affairs.She had two children in the late 1790's who, sadly both died in infancy. Although she denied it herself, Hedvig Elisabeth was believed to have some political influence after she became Queen in 1809.