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Wilhelm Hessen-KasselGovernor of Copenhagen
Date of Birth: 24.12.1787
Country:  Denmark |
Content:
- Frederick William, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel and Prince of Denmark
- Military Service and Royal Pretensions
- First Marriage to Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna
- Second Marriage to Princess Marie Anna of Prussia
- Succession Crisis and Protocol of 1852
- Later Years and Legacy
Frederick William, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel and Prince of Denmark
Early Life and EducationFrederick William was born in Germany on November 26, 1820, to Landgrave Wilhelm of Hesse-Kassel and Princess Louise Charlotte of Denmark. He received his higher education at the University of Bonn and prepared for a military career.
Military Service and Royal Pretensions
As a General-Major of Hussars in the Danish army, Frederick William became a claimant to two thrones: Hesse-Kassel (through his father) and Denmark (through his mother). He received the Danish Order of the Elephant on June 28, 1840, and was awarded the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle on January 9, 1844.
First Marriage to Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna
In 1843, Frederick William visited Russia upon the invitation of Tsar Nicholas I. He met and fell in love with Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna, the Tsar's youngest daughter. They married on January 16, 1844, in St. Petersburg. However, their happiness was short-lived. Alexandra died of consumption in childbirth the following year.
Second Marriage to Princess Marie Anna of Prussia
In 1853, Frederick William married Princess Marie Anna of Prussia. They had seven children, including Frederick William III, who became Titular Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel.
Succession Crisis and Protocol of 1852
After Frederick William's departure from Russia, the Danish succession crisis emerged. King Christian VIII died in 1848, and his son Frederick VII ascended to the throne. However, the Protocol of 1852 established Prince Christian of Glücksburg, married to Princess Louise of Hesse-Kassel, as the heir to the Danish throne, effectively excluding Frederick William's claim.
Later Years and Legacy
Frederick William spent the rest of his life in Germany. He succeeded his father as Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel in 1867 and died in Frankfurt am Main on October 14, 1884. Despite his royal pretensions, Frederick William's legacy primarily lies in his military service and the impact of his first marriage on Russian-Danish relations.
