Princess Caroline of Nassau-Usingen


Princess Caroline of Nassau-Usingen was the elder daughter of Karl Wilhelm, Prince of Nassau-Usingen, and wife of Landgrave Frederick of Hesse-Kassel.

Early life

Caroline was born at Biebrich, Nassau-Usingen, the second child and first daughter of William, Prince of Nassau-Usingen|Karl Wilhelm, Prince of Nassau-Usingen], and his wife, Countess Caroline Felizitas of Leiningen-Dagsburg, daughter of Christian [Karl Reinhard of Leiningen-Dachsburg-Falkenburg-Heidesheim|Christian Karl Reinhard, Count of Leiningen-Dagsburg-Heidesheim].
Caroline, via her mother's roots among the Alsace lords of Leiningen, was a cousin of the Danish aristocrat, the Duke of Augustenborg, as both were direct descendants of the important Danish and Sleswicker magnate and statesman Frederik Ahlefeldt. This Danish connection played a role in Caroline's marriage.

Marriage and family

Caroline married on 2 December 1786 in Biebrich to Landgrave Frederick of Hesse-Kassel, youngest child of Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel and Princess Mary of Great Britain, daughter of George II of Great Britain. The Landgrave and Prince Frederik was born a German aristocrat, a cadet son of a Landesfürstliche house, but had lived since his youth in Denmark, as had his two elder brothers. Frederik's two elder brothers married daughters of the deceased King of Norway and Denmark. However, there was no Danish royal daughter left to marry the youngest boy, Frederik, so he married a cousin of the Duke of Augustenborg, being Caroline of Nassau. Frederik was an infantry general in Danish service.
They had eight children: