Sophie of Württemberg (Sophie Friederike Mathilde; 17 June 1818 – 3 June 1877) was Queen of the Netherlands from his accession in 1849 until her death in 1877, as the first wife of King William III. Sophie separated from William in 1855 but continued to perform her duties as queen in public. She was known for her progressive and liberal views and corresponded with several famous intellectuals.
Contents
Early life
Sophie was born in Ludwigsburg Palace, Stuttgart, to King William I of Württemberg and his wife and queen, Catherine Pavlovna of Russia, the fourth daughter of Tsar Paul I. Shortly after Sophie's birth, her mother died, and she was cared for by her aunt, Catharina of Württemberg. She was niece of tsars Alexander I and Nicholas I of Russia.
She had a close relationship with her father and her sister Marie, but not with her stepmother, Pauline Therese. She was given a broad education by her father: after first being tutored in the common accomplishments by governesses customary for all upper-class girls of her time, she was additionally tutored by educated male tutors in history, geography and literature and acquainted with the works of Corneille, Racine, Kant and Hegel. When she was sixteen, she and her sister were taken by their father on an educational trip to Italy, which was otherwise customary for upper class males.