After Struensee’s death, most of his reforms were reversed. He was replaced by Ove Høegh-Guldberg, one of Struensee’s harshest critics and an ally of the dowager queen Juliana Maria. Guldberg reintroduced the absolutism that Struensee had tried to do away with.
When Crown Prince Frederick came of age in 1784, he brought down Guldberg and took over as regent for his father, who was no longer fit to rule. After his father’s death in 1808, he became King Frederick VI. With the support of the minister Andreas Peter Bernstorff, Frederick introduced liberal reforms, abolished serfdom and implemented Struensee’s plans. Under his rule, the Danish state experienced a period of political stability and economic prosperity.
Jens Juel
Oil on canvas, 1785
Bomann Museum Celle / Stadt Celle
BM00935/ST
Frederick is depicted here at the age of 17, a year after becoming regent. He wears the breast star of the Order of the Elephant, the highest Danish order.