Just 16 months after being appointed the king’s personal physician, Struensee was promoted to the position of konferensråd, which was a type of privy councillor. His influence grew, and he surrounded himself with progressive figures whilst suppressing conservative forces. The dismissal of the long-serving statesman J. H. E. v. Bernstorff in September 1770 put Struensee in a key position. Under his influence, the king introduced freedom of the press on 4 September 1770. By July 1771 Struensee was at the height of his power, and finally stepped out of the shadows: Christian VII, who was growing increasingly reluctant to govern the country himself, raised Struensee to the rank of count and appointed him “gehejme kabinetsminister”, a position similar to prime minister. Struensee now had the authority to sign cabinet orders in the king’s stead, and he thus became de facto ruler of the Danish state.
Peder Als
Oil on canvas, 1764
Nationalhistorisk Museum, Frederiksborg (A 736)
Reproduction
J.H.E. v. Bernstorff had been an influential minister of state under Christian’s father, Frederick V, and had also played a key role in shaping Danish foreign and economic policy. Due to the influence he wielded, he was never much liked by Christian VII.