Sophie von Dönhoff
Encyclopedia
Sophie Friederike Juliane von Dönhoff (17 October 1768 - 28 January 1838) was a German lady-in-waiting
and a morganatic spouse by bigamy
to King Frederick William II of Prussia
.
She was the daughter of Friedrich Christian von Voss and Amalia Ottilia av Vieregg. In 1789, she became the lady-in-waiting of the Prussian queen, Frederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt
. Sophie married Frederick at Charlottenburg Palace
11 April 1790. She was described as a talented pianist and singer and admired for her attractive figure. Sophie tried to influence Frederick against Wilhelmine von Lichtenau
and Bischoff Werder, but he responded by advising her against political activity; the couple separated in 1792. In 1805, Sophie bought a farm, Oberbarnim, which became her occupation for the rest of her life.
Children:
Lady-in-waiting
A lady-in-waiting is a female personal assistant at a royal court, attending on a queen, a princess, or a high-ranking noblewoman. Historically, in Europe a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman from a family highly thought of in good society, but was of lower rank than the woman on whom she...
and a morganatic spouse by bigamy
Bigamy
In cultures that practice marital monogamy, bigamy is the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another. Bigamy is a crime in most western countries, and when it occurs in this context often neither the first nor second spouse is aware of the other...
to King Frederick William II of Prussia
Frederick William II of Prussia
Frederick William II was the King of Prussia, reigning from 1786 until his death. He was in personal union the Prince-Elector of Brandenburg and the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel.-Early life:...
.
She was the daughter of Friedrich Christian von Voss and Amalia Ottilia av Vieregg. In 1789, she became the lady-in-waiting of the Prussian queen, Frederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt
Frederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt
Frederika of Hesse-Darmstadt was Queen consort of the Kingdom of Prussia as the second wife of Frederick William II of Prussia.-Background:...
. Sophie married Frederick at Charlottenburg Palace
Charlottenburg Palace
Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in Berlin, Germany, and the only royal residency in the city dating back to the time of the Hohenzollern family. It is located in the Charlottenburg district of the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf burough.The palace was built at the end of the 17th century...
11 April 1790. She was described as a talented pianist and singer and admired for her attractive figure. Sophie tried to influence Frederick against Wilhelmine von Lichtenau
Wilhelmine von Lichtenau
Wilhelmine, Gräfin von Lichtenau, born as Wilhelmine Enke, also spelled Encke, , was the official mistress of King Frederick William II of Prussia from 1769 until 1797 and was elevated by him into the nobility...
and Bischoff Werder, but he responded by advising her against political activity; the couple separated in 1792. In 1805, Sophie bought a farm, Oberbarnim, which became her occupation for the rest of her life.
Children:
- Friedrich Wilhelm von BrandenburgFriedrich Wilhelm, Count BrandenburgFriedrich Wilhelm, Count Brandenburg was a German soldier and politician. He was the son of King Frederick William II of Prussia and Countess Sophie von Dönhoff. He and his sister were made count and countess in 1794, and he was raised with the sons of Field Marshal von Massow. In 1807, he...
(1792–1850), prime minister of Prussia - Sophie (Julie) von Brandenburg (1793–1848), married to Frederick Ferdinand, Duke of Anhalt-KöthenFrederick Ferdinand, Duke of Anhalt-KöthenFrederick Ferdinand of Anhalt-Köthen , was a German prince of the House of Ascania, ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Pless, and from 1818 ruler of the duchy of Anhalt-Köthen....