Auguste von Harrach
Encyclopedia
Auguste von Harrach was the second spouse of King Frederick William III of Prussia
. Since the marriage was morganatic, she was not named Queen, but was given the titles Princess of Liegnitz/Legnica and Countess of Hohenzollern. Frederick reportedly stated, that he did not wish to have another queen after his first one.
Auguste was the issue of Count Ferdinand Joseph von Harrach of Rohrau (1763-1841) and Christiane von Rayski (1767-1830). She met Frederick on a spa
in Teplitz in Bohemia
in 1822. Auguste and Frederick married at Charlottenburg Palace
9 November 1824. As Auguste was a Catholic and a non-royal, the marriage was initially kept a secret. In many quarters the marriage was greeted with great surprise and some initially refused to believe it. The Princess of Liegnitz converted to Protestantism in 1826.
Auguste was put more or less outside the protocol in the court life of Berlin
, she ranked after all the princes and princesses of the royal family. She was not politically active and had no children. She nursed Frederick when he died in 1840, but was not allowed to attend the funeral.
Auguste was given a large allowance and allowed to continue to live in the royal palace as a widow. She made many travels during her later years, to Italy and England. She was the god-mother to her nephew, the painter Ferdinand von Harrach (1832-1915).
Frederick William III of Prussia
Frederick William III was king of Prussia from 1797 to 1840. He was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel .-Early life:...
. Since the marriage was morganatic, she was not named Queen, but was given the titles Princess of Liegnitz/Legnica and Countess of Hohenzollern. Frederick reportedly stated, that he did not wish to have another queen after his first one.
Auguste was the issue of Count Ferdinand Joseph von Harrach of Rohrau (1763-1841) and Christiane von Rayski (1767-1830). She met Frederick on a spa
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
in Teplitz in Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
in 1822. Auguste and Frederick married at Charlottenburg Palace
Charlottenburg Palace
Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in Berlin, Germany, and the only royal residency in the city dating back to the time of the Hohenzollern family. It is located in the Charlottenburg district of the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf burough.The palace was built at the end of the 17th century...
9 November 1824. As Auguste was a Catholic and a non-royal, the marriage was initially kept a secret. In many quarters the marriage was greeted with great surprise and some initially refused to believe it. The Princess of Liegnitz converted to Protestantism in 1826.
Auguste was put more or less outside the protocol in the court life of Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, she ranked after all the princes and princesses of the royal family. She was not politically active and had no children. She nursed Frederick when he died in 1840, but was not allowed to attend the funeral.
Auguste was given a large allowance and allowed to continue to live in the royal palace as a widow. She made many travels during her later years, to Italy and England. She was the god-mother to her nephew, the painter Ferdinand von Harrach (1832-1915).