Frederick William III of Prussia
Frederick William III entered the world on the 3rd of August 1770 in Potsdam. His father Frederick William II of Prussia neglected him during his childhood years. A tutor named Johann Jakob Engel taught the young prince alongside other royal children. The boy grew up shy and reserved, speaking without personal pronouns in conversation. This manner of speech later became standard for military officers in Prussia. He suffered from an inferiority complex that lasted his entire life. At age ten he lived at Paretz with Count Hans von Blumenthal. The estate belonged to a retired soldier who served as guardian to his brother Prince Henry. Frederick William found happiness there and bought the property in 1795. He turned it into a royal country retreat for himself.
Prussia faced defeat on the 14th of October 1806 at the Battles of Jena-Auerstädt. Napoleon's forces effectively decimated the Prussian Army's effectiveness and functionality. The king led the army but it collapsed entirely soon after the battle began. French troops occupied Berlin in late October 1806. The royal family fled to Memel in East Prussia where they sought help from Emperor Alexander I of Russia. Napoleon dealt with Prussia very harshly despite the pregnant queen's interview with the French emperor. Prussia lost many Polish territories and all land west of the Elbe River. The kingdom had to finance a large indemnity and pay French troops to occupy key strong points within its borders. The Treaty of Tilsit on the Niemen River made peace between France, Russia and Prussia later that year.
Queen Louise died in 1810 while greatly mourned by her people. Various reforming ministers set about changing Prussia's administration and military under her encouragement. Baron Heinrich Friedrich Karl vom und zum Stein worked alongside Prince Karl August von Hardenberg. Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst and Count August Neidhardt von Gneisenau also joined their efforts. Frederick William himself seemed resigned to Prussia's fate during these difficult years. After his wife's death he fell under the influence of courtiers like Friedrich Ancillon. This Huguenot preacher provided ideological support against political reforms that might restrain monarchical power. Sophie Marie von Voß offered conservative views as another member of this substitute family. Prince Wilhelm zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein completed the group surrounding the grieving king.
In 1824 Frederick William III married Countess Auguste von Harrach zu Rohrau und Thannhausen for the second time. The House of Harrach was not yet recognized as equal to other European royal families for dynastic purposes. Their marriage became morganatic and she received the title Princess of Liegnitz instead. They had no children together during their years as spouses. Frederick William died on the 7th of June 1840 in Berlin from a fever. His eldest son Frederick William IV succeeded him to the throne. The new king married Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria who lived until 1861. Frederick William III is buried at the Mausoleum in Schlosspark Charlottenburg
Berlin.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When and where was Frederick William III of Prussia born?
Frederick William III of Prussia entered the world on the 3rd of August 1770 in Potsdam. He grew up shy and reserved while his father neglected him during childhood years.
What happened to Prussia during the Battles of Jena-Auerstädt in 1806?
Prussia faced defeat on the 14th of October 1806 at the Battles of Jena-Auerstädt when Napoleon's forces decimated its army. French troops occupied Berlin in late October 1806 and forced the kingdom to lose Polish territories and land west of the Elbe River.
Who were the reforming ministers that worked under Queen Louise of Prussia?
Baron Heinrich Friedrich Karl vom und zum Stein worked alongside Prince Karl August von Hardenberg to change Prussian administration. Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst and Count August Neidhardt von Gneisenau also joined their efforts to reform the military.
Why did Frederick William III of Prussia marry Countess Auguste von Harrach zu Rohrau und Thannhausen a second time?
Frederick William III married Countess Auguste von Harrach zu Rohrau und Thannhausen for the second time in 1824 because her House was not yet recognized as equal to other European royal families. Their marriage became morganatic and she received the title Princess of Liegnitz instead.
When and how did Frederick William III of Prussia die?
Frederick William died on the 7th of June 1840 in Berlin from a fever. His eldest son Frederick William IV succeeded him to the throne immediately after his death.