Adolf Fredrik, King of Sweden, dressed in his coronation attire

King Adolf Fredrik

Adolf Fredrik was the son of Kristian August of Holstein-Gottorp and Albertina Fredrika of Baden-Durlach. Adolf Fredrik became heir to the throne at the request of Russia following the Russo-Swedish War of 1741 to 1743. The Russians were afraid that a Danish prince would become heir to the Swedish throne. A pro-Russian king was anticipated in the form of Catherine the Great's uncle Adolf Fredrik.

In 1744 he married Lovisa Ulrika of Prussia. The couple had five children, two of whom became kings: Gustav III and Karl XIII.

As an almost powerless king, he exerted little or no influence over the rule of Sweden. The queen had great political ambitions, and planned a coup d'état to strengthen the royal power. This failed, and instead diminished the monarch's powers even further.

Instead, he is remembered as a skilled carpenter who created beautiful snuff boxes. He died in 1771 from a stroke, supposedly after eating one bun too many.

Portrait of Adolf Fredrik dressed in his coronation attire. Painted by the Swedish artist Lorens Pasch the Younger (1733–1805). The painting hangs in the Yellow Salon at Gripsholm Castle, and is part of the Swedish State Portrait Collection. Photo: Nationalmuseum

adolf fredrik

Born 14 May 1710, died 12 February 1771
Reign 1751–1771

royal Motto

The state's welfare is my welfare

Coronation

1751 Stockholm Cathedral

Buried

1771 Riddarholmen Church

PREDECESSOR
Fredrik I

SUCCESSOR

Gustav III

Spouse

Lovisa Ulrika of Prussia

Issue

Stillborn child (1745)
Gustav III (1746–1792), King of Sweden 1771–1792
Karl XIII (1748–1818), King of Sweden 1809–1818
Fredrik Adolf (1750–1803)
Sofia Albertina (1753–1829)

The
Holstein-Gottorp

dynasty