Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Crown Princess of Prussia

Common card · No. 485760

Elisabeth Christine Ulrike of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (8 November 1746 – 18 February 1840), was Crown Princess of Prussia as the first wife of Crown Prince Frederick William, her cousin and the future king, Frederick William II of Prussia. Born in Wolfenbüttel to Charles I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and Philippine Charlotte of Prussia, she married her double first cousin, Fredrick William, at the insistence of Fredrick the Great, who wanted heirs. The marriage started off with promise with the birth of a child, Frederica Charlotte but the couple soon became unhappy, due to adultery on both sides as well as her hot temper. The king initially tolerated these affairs, hoping for more children from the couple but when Elisabeth became pregnant by one of her lovers, Fredrick decided dissolving the marriage was the best idea and after only three years of marriage they divorced in 1769. Elisabeth was banished from court and then first put under house arrest in Küstrin Castle but was then put...

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