Caroline Matilda Hanover ^{1 2}

  General Notes:

Queen consort of Denmark (1766-71) as wife of King Christian VII (1749-1808). Born in London, the sister of King George III of Great Britain, she married her cousin Christian in 1766, shortly after he became king. King Christian, however, was insane, and Caroline Matilda formed a liaison with Count Johann Friedrich Struensee, the court physician and a brilliant statesman, who subsequently was created count and named minister of state. Sixteen months later, he was toppled by a palace cabal, and their affair was made public. Struensee was eventually beheaded, and the queen was divorced from her husband. Imprisoned at first, Caroline Matilda was later freed and spent her last years in Celle, Germany. Her son ruled later as King Frederick VI of Denmark and Norway.

Caroline Mathilda was a sister of England's Mad King George III (1738-1820), who suffered from the disease porphyria. It is a rare hereditary disease with symptoms like an acute inflammation of the bowels, difficulty in articulation, a painful weakness of the limbs and over-sensitivity. In more severe attacks porphyria can result in over-activity, agitation, confusion, delirium and progressive senility. Caroline Mathilda and George III were known for their "infinite likeness of countenance" and contemporaries remarked on a peculiar quickness of speech, which they both showed when excited. Like his wife, Christian could have inherited porphyria. However, his progressive decline, incoherent conversation, impulsive violent deeds and his alternation between immobility and wild excitement can better be diagnosed as schizophrenia.

  Noted events in her life were:

• She was employed. Princess.

Caroline married Christian VII Oldenburg, son of Frederick V Oldenburg and Louisa Hanover, on 8 Nov 1766 in Christiansborg, near Copenhagen, Denmark. (Christian VII Oldenburg was born on 29 Jan 1749 in Copenhagen, Denmark and died on 13 Mar 1808 in Rendsborg.)