Prince Frederik and his family
Prince Frederik left a significant mark on the character of Wassenaar. He received military training and studied at Leiden University. He held various impressive positions, such as admiral and Commissioner-General of War (comparable to the current position of Secretary of Defense). With all 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 Frederik, really, and what was his life like away from the spotlight? Find out here.
In the 19th century, Prince Frederik was one of the wealthiest men in the Netherlands. He received substantial inheritances that significantly increased his fortune. In addition, the leasing of farms and the proceeds from, for example, sand mining, breweries, and sawmills generated substantial income. During the colder months, he lived in The Hague, where he hosted receptions and attended the opera and concerts. In the summer and fall, he spent time with his family at his country estate, De Paauw, where he also entertained guests in a more informal setting and was able to lead a quiet life.
Just another day…
Prince Frederik’s days at De Paauw passed quietly. In the morning, the ladies had breakfast in their rooms, while he ate with the gentlemen in the dining room. Prince Frederik was a hard-working man who often spent time in his study. Today, this room serves as the mayor’s office.
Afterward, they would play a card game or a game of billiards. Or they would draw, embroider, or make music. After lunch, everyone would rest, and then it was time to get some fresh air. Prince Frederik enjoyed taking his guests on leisurely rides through his park and had a particular fondness for hunting. The women would visit one of the gardens near the house, such as the Princess Garden or the rose garden, or perhaps the vegetable or flower garden. After these activities, dinner was already ready, and everyone could recharge for a quiet evening.
An avid hunter
Prince Frederik was passionate about hunting. It was an ideal opportunity for the gentlemen to meet and compete with one another. They rode in a special carriage to the hunting grounds, where beaters flushed out the game for them. Servants carried their equipment, handed them their rifles, and retrieved the wounded game. The prince and his guests also tested their marksmanship at the shooting range. After the hunt, they gathered, satisfied, at Ter Horst hunting lodge for a delicious meal and a good political conversation.
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 schedule. For example, Louise would sometimes go to a spa for her health, while the prince was on an official visit. They would often travel to meet each other afterward. Together they had four children: Louise, William, Frederick, and Marie. His two daughters grew up and married; through her marriage, Louise became Queen of Sweden. The deaths of their two sons at a young age brought the couple great sorrow. William lived to be only one year old, and Frederick died at the age of ten.
The Peacemaker
Prince Frederik was known as a kind-hearted man with a steady temperament and a strong sense of responsibility. He took good care of his staff and helped calm tensions within the family, which sometimes ran quite high. For example, the prince remained in contact with his father despite his controversial second marriage. And when his father passed away, he continued to support his father’s widow. He mediated in his younger sister Marianne’s divorce and settled the heavily indebted estate of his brother Willem II. Prince Frederik 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 dedicate themselves to serving their fellow human beings. Despite his good intentions, the prince faced a great deal of criticism: the Order was a closed and, as a result, somewhat mysterious society, and Catholics in particular viewed it as a threat. The prince did not let this deter him; he served as Grand Master for over 65 years and 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 Frederik traveled frequently to conduct business, maintain social contacts, or 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 Oder River in what is now the German-Polish border region (he owned several estates in this former Silesian area). The prince was also frequently in Berlin, where he had grown up and where many of his relatives lived. He traveled by carriage. Starting in 1843, after the railroad to Amsterdam was completed, the train became a much faster and more comfortable alternative. He had his own railcar, and there was also ample space for the royal household that accompanied him.
See for yourself!
Prince Frederik is no longer with us, but if you’d like to get a sense of his life, be sure to visit (parts of) the park trail. Take a stroll through De Horsten as he used to, admire the country estates that were once part of his vast estate, and enjoy a drink at the former shooting lodge, which is now a tea house. The history will come to life all on its own!