Period

Frederick V lived from 1723 to 1766 and was king of Denmark and Norway from 1746 until his death.

Marriage

He was first married to the popular Louise of Great Britain, and after her death to Juliane Marie of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.

Interests

He loved art, music, celebration, and construction. During his reign, The Royal Theatre, The Academy of Fine Arts, and large parts of Frederiksstaden were created and it was Frederick V who laid the foundation for the Marble Church.

Family

He was the son of Christian VI and among others, he fathered Christian VII, who later became king – albeit with a tragic and turbulent fate.

Although Frederick V didn’t build Kronborg himself, he had a deep connection to the historic castle. He visited it several times and saw it as a vital part of the kingdom’s history; a dramatic and beautiful symbol of Danish royal dignity. During his reign, the idea of preserving and showcasing the glory of the past truly took hold, and Kronborg became a key piece of the national heritage. Frederick V cherished reflecting on past grandeur and was committed to presenting Danish castles, squares, and monuments as powerful stages for the greatness of the entire royal lineage, including Kronborg.

Frederick V may never have been a reformer, but he was behind some of Denmark’s most visible transformations. Under his reign, Frederiksstaden was built as a symbol of dynasty and elegance, bringing the city of Copenhagen its first true urban planning with straight streets and grand palaces. Landmarks like Amalienborg, the Marble Church, and the Academy of Fine Arts all reflect Frederick V’s artistic vision and perhaps also his wish to be remembered for more than just being a party-loving king fond of wine and celebrations.

Frederick V died in 1766 at the age of only 42, yet he left a lasting impact on Denmark’s architecture and national identity. Unlike his warrior predecessors, he was a pleasure-loving aesthete who chose to beautify Copenhagen with grand palaces rather than wielding a sword.

Though he didn’t build Kronborg, Frederick V recognized its power as a symbol. During his reign, the castle wasn’t modernized but carefully preserved in its full Renaissance splendor as a living monument to the royal power of bygone eras. Where Frederick II had used Kronborg for politics, celebrations, and strategy, Frederick V let it stand as a historical backdrop and iconic tribute to Denmark’s greatness.

When foreign guests and diplomats toured the magnificent halls, it wasn’t mere sightseeing, but staged history: a “living museum” where the glory of the past illuminated the royal house of the present. Kronborg remained mighty and strategic, but also became a carefully crafted narrative of national grandeur, with Frederick V as the elegant heir to this legacy.