John and Jenny Fulton

Real International Princesses: Sophie Hedevig of Denmark

By Jenny Fulton

Introduction

My book, An International Princess Alphabet Primer, features princesses from countries and cultures around the world. Each character is named after a real person. These are their stories.

Because the alphabet book was written for young kids, the biographies I’m sharing are short, child-friendly, often rose-tinted summaries.

D: Danish Princess Sophie

Denmark map Image by Kjrstie from Pixabay; Denmark flag Image by Michael Christen from Pixabay

Danish Princess Sophie is named for Princess Sophie Hedevig, the artistic princess who created schools for the poor.

Princess Sophia of Denmark and Norway was born on August 28, 1677. Her parents, Christian V and Charlotte Amalie, were the King and Queen. As was often the case with princesses, Sophie’s marriage was arranged from the time she was a child. However, before the scheduled wedding, when Sophie was only fourteen years old, the man she was betrothed to decided not to marry her.

A year later, King Christian tried to arrange a marriage between her and the King of the Romans, who was only fourteen (Sophia was fifteen then). Sophie refused and continued to say no even though her dad tried to convince her marry the young ruler for the next five years.

When she was twenty, Denmark tried to align themselves with Sweden by having Sophie and her younger brother Charles marry a prince and princess of Sweden. This time, it was her brother who said no. So, she never got married.

Sophie was known for her firm dedication to Protestant Christianity, her talent as a portrait painter, her great interest in other arts, and her love for psalm books and other literature. She also had a strong desire for everyone to know about God and His love. So, with Charles’ help, she started schools for poor kids on every property she and her brother owned.

When Sophie died at the age of fifty-seven, she left instructions for one of her houses to be turned into a home for other noblewoman who weren’t married. Many of her books were donated to the University Library in Copenhagen and some of her artistic work can be found in the Royal Danish Collection at Rosenborg Castle.

Rosenborg Castle Image by Steve Barker from Pixabay

Other Princess Bios

Works Sited

“Princess Sophia Hedwig of Denmark” Wikipedia; June 9, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Sophia_Hedwig_of_Denmark

“Sophie Hedevig.” Kongernes Samling; July 10, 2024.  https://www.kongernessamling.dk/en/rosenborg/person/sophie-hedevig-2/

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