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From The Emperor’s Desk: This entry discusses the brief reign and abdication of Queen Ulrica Eleonora of Sweden. There is more to the story that I find interesting therefore next week I’ll delve more into the topic.

Ulrica Eleanor (January 23, 1688 – November 24, 1741), known as Ulrica Eleonora the Younger, reigned as Queen of Sweden from December 5, 1718 until her abdication on February 29, 1720 in favour of her husband Prince Friedrich of Hesse-Cassel. Following her husband’s accession as King Friedrich I, Ulrica Eleonora served as his Queen Consort until her death in 1741.

Princess Ulrica Eleonora of Sweden was the youngest child of King Carl XI of Sweden and Princess Ulrica Eleonora the Elder of Denmark and was named after her mother.

Her mother, Princess Ulrica Eleonora of Denmark, was the daughter of King Frederik III of Denmark-Norway and his spouse, Princess Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg. She was given a strict upbringing under the supervision of her mother: she was taught several different languages, and was reportedly a good student in drawing and painting.

In 1675 she was betrothed to King Carl XI of Sweden. The purpose of the match, though from the Swedish viewpoint, was to prevent Denmark from forming an alliance with the enemies of Sweden. Her brother, King Christian V of Denmark-Norway, was not enthusiastic about the match.

In 1715, Princess Ulrica Eleonora the Younger of Sweden married Prince Friedrich of Hesse-Cassel, the son of Landgrave Charles I of Hesse-Cassel, and Princess Maria Amalia of Courland.

On December 11,1718, Princess Ulrica Eleonora’s, King Carl XII in a war against Norway, was struck in the head by a projectile and killed. The shot struck the left side of his skull and exited from the right. He died instantly.

After the death of her brother King Carl XII in 1718, Ulrika Eleonora claimed the throne. Her deceased older sister, Princess Hedvig Sophia, had left a son, Prince Charles Friedrich of Holstein-Gottorp, who had the better claim by primogeniture.

Princess Ulrika Eleonora asserted that she was the closest surviving relative of the late king (the idea of proximity of blood) and cited the precedent of Queen Christina.

She was recognized as successor by the Riksdag after she had agreed to renounce the powers of absolute monarchy established by her father. She abdicated in 1720, at which time her husband became king.

She was one of the rare Queens that served both as a Queen Regnant and a Queen Consort.