Who was Queen Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz?
Q: Who was Queen Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz?
A: Queen Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was the wife of King Frederick William III and Queen consort of Prussia.
Q: What role did she play in the Prussian government?
A: After her husband's ascension, Louise developed many ties to senior ministers and became a powerful figure within the government as she began to command universal respect and affection. The king consulted her on matters of state, making her an influential figure in Prussian politics.
Q: What event caused Prussia to enter into war with France?
A: After a small incident concerning an anti-French pamphlet occurred, King Frederick William was finally pressured by his wife and family to break off his uneasy peace and enter the war against the French emperor.
Q: How did Napoleon respond when he occupied Berlin?
A: When Napoleon occupied Berlin, the king, queen and rest of the royal family had to flee from him despite Louise's illness in the dead of winter to Königsberg in easternmost part of kingdom.
Q: What were Queen Louise's efforts during negotiations with Napoleon at Tilsit?
A: At Tilsit, Queen Louise tried to use her beauty and charm to flatter Napoleon into more favorable terms for Prussia. She also requested a private interview with him but he refused any concessions. Her efforts were admired by future generations for trying protect her adopted country from French aggression.
Q: How did King Frederick William react upon hearing about his wife's death?
A: Upon hearing about his wife's death, King Frederick William was left alone during a period of great difficulty as Napoleonic Wars continued and need for reform persisted. Napoleon remarked that "the king has lost his best minister."
Q: Was there any speculation as to what caused Queen Louise's early death?
A:The queen's subjects attributed her early death as being due to French occupation.
