Amalia of Oldenburg

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Queen Amalia of Greece
Queen of Greece

Queen Amalia of Greece
portrait by Joseph Karl Stieler
Reign 22 November 1836 – 23 October 1862
Full name Marie Frederike Amalie of Oldenburg
Titles Duchess of Oldenburg
Born December 21, 1818(1818-12-21)
Birthplace Oldenburg
Died May 20, 1875 (aged 56)
Place of death Flag of Bavaria Bamberg
Buried Theatinerkirche, Munich
Predecessor none
Successor Olga Konstantinovna of Russia
Consort Otto I of Greece
Royal House Holstein-Gottorp
Father August, Grand Duke of Oldenburg
Mother Princess Adelheid of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym

Duchess Marie Frederike Amalie of Oldenburg, Queen of Greece (Greek: Αμαλία, Βασίλισσα της Ελλάδος) (born December 21, 1818 in Oldenburg, died May 20, 1875 in Bamberg) was the Consort of King Otto (1815-1867). Born the daughter of Paul Friedrich August, Grand Duke of Oldenburg and Princess Adelheid of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym, she married King Otto on 22 November 1836, in Oldenburg.


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[edit] Fashion influence

When she arrived in Greece as a Queen consort in 1837 she had an immediate impact on social life and fashion. She realized that her attire ought to emulate that of her new people, and so she created a romantic folksy court dress, which became a national Greek costume still known as the Amalia dress.

It follows the Biedermeier style, with a kaftan (καβαδι) top over which is worn a richly embroidered jacket. It was completed with a cap or fez, traditionally worn by married women, or with the kalpaki (a toque) of the unmarried woman, to which was added the black veil for going to church.

This dress became the usual attire of all Christian townswomen in both Ottoman Empire-occupied and liberated Balkan lands as far north as Belgrade.

In the early years of the new monarchy, Queen Amalia, with her beauty and vivaciousness brought a spirit of smart fashion and progress to the impoverished country. She laboured actively towards social improvement and the creation of gardens in Athens, and at first won the hearts of the Greeks with her refreshing beauty. The city of Amalias and the village of Amaliapolis were named for the Queen.

[edit] Political activity

As King Otto and his Bavarian advisers became more enmeshed in political struggles with Greek political forces, the Queen became more politically involved, also. She became the target of harsh attacks when she became involved in politics - and her image suffered further as she proved unable to provide an heir. She also remained a Protestant, in an almost universally Orthodox country, throughout her reign.

[edit] Assassination attempt

In February, 1861, a University student named Aristeidis Dosios unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate the Queen. He was sentenced to death, but the Queen intervened, and he was pardoned and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was hailed as a hero for his attempt by certain factions, but the attempt also provoked spontaneous feelings of sympathy towards the royal couple among the people. Just over a year later, while the royal couple were on a visit to the Peloponnese, an uprising in Athens took place. The Great Powers, who had supported Otto urged them not resist and the reign of Otto and Amalia was at an end. They left Greece aboard a British warship, with the Greek royal regalia that they had brought with them.

[edit] Exile and death

King Otto and Queen Amalia spent the rest of their years in exile, home in Bavaria. They determined to speak in Greek each day between 6 and 8 o'clock to remember their time in Greece.

Queen Amalia died in Bamberg in 1875 and was buried in Munich beside the King.

Styles of
Queen Amalia of Greece
Reference style Her Majesty
Spoken style Your Majesty
Alternative style Ma'am

[edit] Titles

  • Her Highness Duchess Amalie of Oldenburg 1818-1837
  • Her Majesty The Queen of Greece 1837-1862
  • Her Majesty Queen Amalia of Greece 1862-1875

[edit] References

  • Brekis, Spyros L. Ph.D.; Ιστορια της Νεωτερας Ελλαδος (History of Modern Greece) (in Greek) (coursebook in the 'History of Modern Greece' course of the University of Athens)
  • Zaoussis, Alexander L.; Αμαλια και Οθων (Amalia and Othon) (in Greek) Okeanida, 2002

[edit] External links

Amalia of Oldenburg
Born: 21 December 1818 Died: 20 May 1875
Greek royalty
New title Queen Consort of Greece
1836–1862		 Vacant
Title next held by
Olga Konstantinovna of Russia