Prince Frederick and his family

Prince Frederick left a clear mark on the appearance of Wassenaar. He completed his military training, studied at Leiden University, and held various distinguished positions, such as admiral and commissary-general of war (comparable to the current position of minister of defense). Given these titles, it’s easy to forget that he was also “just” a man: a father and a husband, with hobbies and interests. Who was Prince Frederick, and what was his private life like? You can find out here. 

In the 19th century, Prince Frederick was one of the richest men in the Netherlands. He received vast inheritances, which significantly increased his wealth. In addition, the leasing of farms and the profits from, for example, sand extraction, beer brewing, and sawmills generated substantial revenues. During the colder months, he resided in The Hague, where he hosted receptions and attended the opera and concerts. In the summer and fall, he lived with his family at his country home, De Paauw, where he also entertained guests in a more informal setting and was able to lead a quiet life.

A typical day…

At De Paauw, the current town hall of Wassenaar, Prince Frederick’s days followed a leisurely rhythm. In the morning, the ladies enjoyed breakfast in their room, while he ate with the lords in the dining room. Prince Frederick was a hard-working man who spent a great deal of time in his study. This room is now the mayor’s office.

After work, Prince Frederick played cards or a game of billiards. Or people drew, embroidered, or played music. After lunch, everyone rested, and then it was time to enjoy some fresh air. Prince Frederick liked to take his guests on a tour of his park, and he was passionate about hunting. The women visited one of the gardens near the house, such as the rose garden—also known as the Princess Garden—or a kitchen garden or flower garden. After this outing, dinner was served once again, and everyone could unwind during a quiet evening. 

Avid hunter

Prince Frederick was passionate about hunting. It was the perfect occasion for the gentlemen to meet and compete with one another. In a special carriage, they rode to the hunting grounds, where beaters flushed out the game for them. Servants carried their equipment, handed them their guns, and collected the shot game. The prince and his guests also tested their shooting skills at the shooting range. After the hunt, they gathered, satisfied, at the Ter Horst hunting lodge for a hearty meal and a lively discussion about politics.

Father and husband 

Prince Frederick married his cousin, Princess Louise of Prussia, on May 21, 1825. They spent a lot of time together, but each also had their own activities. For example, Louise would sometimes go to a spa for health reasons while the prince was on a working visit. Afterward, they would meet each other halfway along the route they were traveling. They had four children: Louise, Willem, Frederik, and Marie. The two daughters grew up and married; through her marriage, Louise became Queen of Sweden. The deaths of both their sons in childhood caused the couple considerable grief. William was just one year old when he died, and Frederick died when he was ten.

Peacemaker

Prince Frederik was known as a compassionate man with a steady disposition and a strong sense of responsibility. He took good care of his staff and servants and helped ease tensions within the family, which were sometimes considerable. For example, the prince maintained contact with his father, despite his father’s controversial second marriage. And when his father died, he continued to support his father’s widow. He also mediated in the divorce of his younger sister Marianne and dealt with the debt-ridden legacy of his brother William II. Prince Frederick played a major role as a peacemaker.

A Freemason 

Prince Frederik was Grand Master of the Order of Freemasons. This was an organization of gentlemen who sought to improve society and who dedicated themselves to serving their fellow human beings. Despite their good intentions, the prince faced a great deal of criticism: the order was an exclusive and, as a result, somewhat secretive community, and Catholics, in particular, viewed this as a threat. However, the prince was not deterred by this and served as Grand Master for more than 65 years. He also bequeathed to the order a large collection of rare books and a lodge building on the Fluwelen Burgwal in The Hague.

Loves to travel

Prince Frederick traveled extensively for business, to maintain social contacts, or to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. He regularly traveled from his city palace in The Hague to his estates in Wassenaar and Bad Muskau, a location on the River Oder in the area that is now on the German-Polish border (he owned several estates in this former Silesian region). The prince was also often in Berlin, where he had grown up and where many of his relatives still lived. He traveled by carriage. From 1843 onward, following the construction of the railroad line to Amsterdam, the train became a much faster and more comfortable alternative. When he traveled by train, he had his own compartment, and there was also enough room on the train for his court to accompany him.

Discover it for yourself!

Prince Frederik is no longer with us, but if you’d like to get a sense of his life, visit (parts of) the Park Route. Take a walk through De Horsten, just as the prince once did, and feel history come alive again: see the country houses that were part of his extensive estate and enjoy a drink in the former hunting lodge, which is now a teahouse!