Widowhood and Later Life
In 1792 Gustav III was murdered. The conspirators had the intent to make her the regent of her son during his minority She was deeply horrified by the murder of her spouse, but made a scandal as it was noted that she did not dress in mourning in private, but only during formal visits. It was a great relief for her to retire from public life. Her brother-in-law, Duke Charles, became regent, and she eschewed a political role. As a widow, Sophia Magdalena lived a withdrawn life and spent much effort on charity.
In 1797, she insisted on skipping the protocol to receive her daughter-in-law, Frederica of Baden, upon her arrival, as she remembered how lonely she herself had felt when she arrived as a bride. During the reign of her son, she seldom showed herself at court except on Sundays and at court presentations, and preferred to stay at her estate.
In 1809 she witnessed the abdication of her son, King Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden, after Sweden lost Finland to Russia. She was deeply affected by his deposition. He was sent into exile and replaced by his paternal uncle Charles XIII, but she remained in Sweden until her death. In 1810–11, she was one of few in the Swedish Court who were nice to Désirée Clary. Jean Baptiste Bernadotte regarded her with suspicion, despite her assurance that she did not blame neither him nor his son for taking the place of her son and grandson, and would be happy to receive them.
It has been said of her: She remained one of the most tragic and isolated people in the history of the Swedish court.
Read more about this topic: Sophia Magdalena Of Denmark
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