Portrait of King Frederik VII of Denmark, small half-length, in a breastplate and blue sash

Frederick VII was Denmark's last absolute monarch and the last King of the Oldenburg dynasty. Born in 1808 in Amalienborg Palace, the son of Christian VIII of Denmark and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Frederick's formative years were marked by a series of scandals which earned him recognition as the problem child of the Royal family. Despite this, Frederick became one of the most popular and beloved Danish Kings of all time. In 1849, a year after ascending the throne, the new King accepted the end of absolute monarchy, resulting in the the first June Constitution. Frederick VII therefore became a constitutional monarch held in high regard by his subjects, due in part to his outwardly amiable personality, but also due his positive image as a national leader cultivated during the First War of Schleswig of 1848-51. The Kings popularity remained strong throughout his reign, despite occasions of personal scandal and political interfence. Frederick VII married three times, on the final occasion morganatically, yet failed to produce an heir. Upon his sudden death in in 1863 he was succeeded by his cousin Christian IX. Frederick's motto was 'the love of my nation, my strength.'