Queen Louise & King Christian IX

[kmerov]

Just wanted to start a thread that talks about the parents of the bunch...
Now that whas a couple who loved each other!
"Thank you for the dance of life".

[kmerov]

"I think a very interesting and clever woman indeed and of course ambitious for her children to do well as any mother would be."    

Just moved it over here to put my thread to some use

Yes she was, and i know what you mean with obscure!
For herself she didnt seem to have much ambition, other than being the guardian of the home and family, which was the motto she followed through her life.

[Mgmstl]

I think there were so many things to like & admire about Louise & Christian, and their family.

I remember reading that she was present when Olga N. was born and helped AF through the labor, and the child was born in her bedroom, to honor her, by the parents.

Some of the letters of Queen Louise to Minnie are interesting, it seems she liked AF, at least that is the impression I got, and did not completely understand Minnie's problems with her.  

Their life was a long full one, and I do wish there was a good biography on her.

[kmerov]

I didnt know that about Olga N.
There are some good books about Louise and Christian combined in danish, but little does that help if you arent danish!
I got the quote " thank you for the dance of life" from a resent one.

[Eurohistory]

Hans Roger Madol's biography of King Christian IX goes into great detail about how the couple met and how they founded their family in Copenhagen...quite a nice book to read actually.

Arturo Beéche

[kmerov]

Yes i have that book to, and like it as well  .
It also gives many details on how Christian IX came to be heir to the throne, and the varius candidates prior to that happening.  

[grandduchessella]

I think there were so many things to like & admire about Louise & Christian, and their family.

I remember reading that she was present when Olga N. was born and helped AF through the labor, and the child was born in her bedroom, to honor her, by the parents.

 

I had looked up some info in A Lifelong Passion and it doesn't mention her presence in any of the diary entries or letters.    It mentions MF and Ella  as being with her the entire time.

When 'Amama' died Alix wrote that as he travelled to Denmark for the funeral, it was their first separation since they married. [Irene had just travelled to see her and she didn't feel she could leave] Alix doesn't seem close to the family at all and most of her long letter details her own woe at being separated from Nicky and rather grudgingly accepts that others need him at this time. She wrote that her 'absence won't be regretted there by any of the rest, as I am still somewhat a stranger amongst them all--and now they want to have only those there whom they were accustomed to see around poor Amama.'

Nicky wrote that his 'astonishment was great when on landing I was met by dear Apapa, Mama and the whole family. They all looked more cheery and less worn out than I imagined. As soon as we drove up to the house, they led me into the bedroom where stands the coffin, shut up, and surrounded by masses of flowers and wreaths which looks very pretty. Still I must say it seems sad to me to think that the body does not remain in a church near by--I htink it woudl be preferable in every respect. Poor Apapa looks remarkably fresh, he goes into that room constantly and then takes long long walks--to which of course the family accompanies him. The reason of the delay of the funeral is that everything concerning the burial, black cloth garments, cataflaque etc. have been lost in a fire that occured some 12 years ago and the ceremonials have disappeared! Apapa wants the funeral to be a state ceremony and they therefore need such a long time to get these preparations ready. When I come back I shall tell all I have heard from Mama and the others about poor Amama's last days--touchingly sad!! '

[Janet_W.]

Just scanned the Danish listing and I don't see another thread specifically for Queen Louise and King Christian, but if there is one, I apologize . . .

At any rate, I am so glad this particular thread was started, because whenever I've read about Alix or Minnie's early years, their parents have been treated as something of a footnote, and generally all that's been said is that they were loving but rather empty-headed, lacking responsibility, etc., etc. I've never quite understood where all this came from--especially considering that later on quite a lot of energy was expended in visits to "Amama" and "Apapa"--so perhaps posters with a better knowledge of the subject can enlighten us.  

My guess is that one of the reasons Louise and Christian have been disparaged has something to do with one of their daughters becoming sexually active and subsequently conceiving a baby out of wedlock. Any thoughts on this?

[kmerov]

Thank you GDElla for posting this info. I have never read a first hand record on the days after Louises death.

Does anyone know if Queen Louise attended the wedding of Nicky and Alex? I know Christian IX was there, supporting MF.

[kmerov]

I didnt see a thread on them either, but you never know!

I think its right that they didnt have great political intelligense, but they had great responsibility. The danish books all describe them very positive, especially Queen Louise.
I dont know if Thyras daughter has something to do with them being described as you mentioned, but i have only read rather good comments on them.
I know that Queen Victoria didnt like them very much, but i dont know why that is.
Someone else?

[Eurohistory]

Queen Victoria saw Louise and the Hesse(-Kassel) bunch as scheming anti-Prussians who could get her eldest son up to no good in political terms.  Remember that Queen Victoria, as a supporter of her eldet daughter and son-in-law, was decidely pro-Berlin.

Arturo Beéche

[kmerov]

Yes, of course that must have something to do with it!

Didnt Hesse-Cassel become a part of Prussia, leaving Louises brother, Friedrich without any of the thrones that could have been his?

[kmerov]

Another say to them being empty headed without responsibility ect.
When Christian became king in 1863, he had to sign a constitution that he knew would start a war with the german states. He acted quit firm, saying he would not sign it, before he had read it. It took some times before that happend and he had the hole country against him, and his family was very unpopular.
Queen Louise had to call the police to protect the palace, besides the normal gards. CIX finally signt it, but it gives an example of his sence of duty. The war came and Denmark lost. Quit hard times for the family.

[Mgmstl]

I think QV's attitude toward the Hesse-Kassel's or what she called the "Rumpenheim Set" had more to do with Prince Albert's remarks about Queen Louise's mother & her mother's sister's (?) being of scandalous behaviour, and of course I am sure there were anti-Prussian feelings involved.

I have often felt that QV was very unjust to Queen Louise, who was industrious, raised her children well, and lived her life scandal free.  While nothing could be said against Queen Louise, her relatives were looked down upon, and in fact I believe she was somewhat cool to the Denmarks (CIX & QL) on some occasions.

[kmerov]

Yes, it was most likely a mix of those things that made QV dislike them...And maybe she felt more superior in the inteligence department...

Not related to they above, but i just saw their rooms at Amalienborg Palace. They are stuffed with things and photos, tons of it. The spitting image of their days. Less was not more!
I wonder who started that trend?