Queen Marie Louise of Friskland

Queen Marie Louise of Friskland (born Princess Marie Louise of France; 17 November 1663 - 14 April 1730) was Queen consort of Friskland from 1679 to her death in 1719. Married to Henrik I of Friskland, she bore 17 children. After Henrik's death, she married her long-time lover and father to her two youngest children, courtier Carl Johan Lindström.

Early life

Princess Marie Louise of France was born on 17 November 1663 at the Château de Fontainebleau in France. Her father was Louis XIV of France. Her mother was his consort, Maria Theresa of Spain. As a daughter of the French monarch, Marie Louise possessed the titles of Royal Highness and Fille de France. As the King's eldest surviving daughter, she was also known as Madame Royale.

Marriage

On 23 April 1678, Marie Louise was married to the then-Crown Prince Henrik of Friskland, in a match arranged by their fathers, Louis XIV of France, and Carl Vilhelm II of Friskland. The marriage seemed happy at first, although quickly deteriorated after Henrik continued with his various affairs. The couple remained different, eventually living in different palaces. Henrik generally did not spend much time with Marie Louise, other than trying to produce legitimate heirs to the throne. Marie Louise was very bitter about this, and she herself took a lover.

Whilst separated from her husband, Marie Louise began a relationship with the Frisklandic courtier Carl Johan Lindström. The two were besotted with each other, and remained faithful to each other for the rest of their lives. It is generally accepted that it was Lindström who fathered Marie Louise's two youngest children, Prince Theodor and Princess Maria Sophia. It has even been claimed that Henrik gave his blessing for this relationship.

Later years and death

In 1704, Marie Louise made Torberg Palace her official residence, and Carl Johan Lindström became the Comptroller of the Queen's Household. This allowed the pair to live together officially, and without scrutiny. Two month's after Henrik's death, on 12 October 1724, Marie Louise married Lindström. They lived together at Torberg until his death in 1729.

On 14 April 1730, at age 66, Marie Louise died at Torberg, a few months after Lindström. A state funeral was held for her, and her remains were interred in the Lindström family crypt in Jättenholm beside her second husband.

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