# Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

> Queen consort of Denmark and Norway

**Wikidata**: [Q57637](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q57637)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliana_Maria_of_Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/juliana-maria-of-brunswick-wolfenbuttel

## Summary
Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was a German noblewoman who became Queen consort of Denmark and Norway through her marriage to King Christian VII. Her most significant role was as a political influencer during the reign of her stepson, King Frederick VI, where she wielded considerable behind-the-scenes influence during a period of Danish political transformation.

## Biography
- Born: September 4, 1729
- Nationality: Kingdom of Denmark (by marriage)
- Education: Not specified
- Known for: Serving as queen consort and later as queen dowager with significant political influence at the Danish court
- Employer(s): Royal Danish Court
- Field(s): Monarchy, Political Influence

## Contributions
Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel's primary contribution was her role in Danish royal and political life, particularly during the late 18th century. As queen consort, she influenced the royal court and, following the death of Christian VII, continued to play a role as queen dowager. Her influence extended into the regency period of her stepson, King Frederick VI, where she was involved in court politics during a time of major reforms and international conflict, including the Napoleonic Wars.

## FAQs
**What was Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel's role in the Danish monarchy?**  
Juliana Maria served as Queen consort of Denmark and Norway upon her marriage to King Christian VII and later became queen dowager. She played a key role in the royal court and influenced political decisions, particularly during the regency and early reign of her stepson, King Frederick VI.

**How is Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel remembered in Danish history?**  
She is remembered as a politically active queen who exerted influence during a critical period in Danish history, including the era of Enlightenment reforms and the Napoleonic Wars. Her legacy includes her involvement in court politics and her role in shaping the direction of the Danish monarchy during the late 18th century.

**What titles did Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel hold?**  
She held the titles of Queen of Denmark and Norway as consort and later Queen Dowager of Denmark. She was also known by the name Juliane Marie von Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern.

## Why They Matter
Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel matters due to her significant behind-the-scenes influence on Danish royal and political life during a transformative era. As queen consort and later queen dowager, she was involved in the political dynamics of the Danish court during the reign of her mentally unstable husband, Christian VII, and the regency and early reign of her stepson, Frederick VI. Her presence and influence shaped the internal politics of the court during a time of major reforms, including the abolition of serfdom and the restructuring of the Danish government. Without her involvement, the political landscape of Denmark during this period might have evolved differently, particularly in how power was exercised during the transition between monarchs.

## Notable For
- Being Queen consort of Denmark and Norway through marriage to King Christian VII
- Serving as queen dowager and continuing to influence the royal court after the king's death
- Playing a key role in the political dynamics of the Danish royal court during the late 18th century
- Being involved in the governance and political decisions during the regency of King Frederick VI
- Being a central figure in the court during the reign of Christian VII, a period marked by mental instability and political intrigue
- Having a long-standing presence in the Danish court from her marriage in 1766 until her death in 1796

## Body

### Early Life and Marriage
Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was born on September 4, 1729, into the House of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, a prominent German noble family. In 1766, she married King Christian VII of Denmark and Norway, becoming the queen consort of the Kingdom of Denmark. Her marriage was part of the broader European practice of dynastic alliances, intended to strengthen diplomatic and political ties between royal houses.

### Role as Queen Consort
As queen consort, Juliana Maria became a central figure at the Danish court. Her marriage to Christian VII placed her in a position of influence, especially as the king struggled with mental illness. During his reign, she was involved in court politics and was known to have a close relationship with Johann Friedrich Struensee, the royal physician who became a key political figure. After Struensee's fall from power and execution in 1772, Juliana Maria's role evolved, and she continued to exert influence, particularly as queen dowager.

### Political Influence and Queen Dowager
Following the death of Christian VII in 13 March 1788, Juliana Maria became queen dowager. She remained a significant figure at court during the regency of her stepson, the future King Frederick VI, and continued to influence political decisions. Her presence was particularly notable during the reign of Frederick VI, who became king in 1784, as Denmark faced the challenges of the Napoleonic Wars and internal reforms. As queen dowager, she was involved in the political dynamics of the court and played a role in shaping the direction of the Danish monarchy during a period of significant change.

### Death and Legacy
Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel died on October 10, 1796. Her legacy includes her role in the Danish royal court during a transformative period in the country's history. She is remembered for her influence on the monarchy and her involvement in the political and social dynamics of the court during the late 18th century. Her contributions to the Danish monarchy and her role in shaping the political landscape of the time remain a significant part of Danish historical narrative.

### Cultural and Historical Recognition
Juliana Maria is commemorated in various cultural and historical contexts. Her image is featured in the file "Juliane v Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel Residenzmuseum Celle.JPG" and her coat of arms is represented in "Armoiries reine Juliane-Marie de Brunswick.svg". She is also recognized in the Royal Monogram of Queen Juliane Marie of Denmark and has numerous identifiers and references in historical databases and encyclopedias, including Wikidata, VIAF, and the Danish National Biography Online. Her life and influence are documented in multiple languages and historical records, reflecting her lasting impact on the Danish monarchy and European royal history.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.smk.dk/udforsk-kunsten/soeg-i-smk/#/detail/KMS4056)
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Find a Grave
4. Kunstindeks Danmark
5. The Peerage
6. Dansk Biografisk Leksikon
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. CERL Thesaurus
9. Library of Congress Control Number
10. Sejm-Wielki.pl