Born – 15th September 1666
Died – 13th November 1726
Father – George William, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg (1624 – 1705)
Mother – Eleonore desmier d’O’lbreuse (1639 – 1722)
Spouse – m. 1682 div. 1694 – King George I (1660 – 1727)
Children – King George II, Sophia (1687 – 1757)
1666 (15th September)
Sophia Dorothea of Celle was born illegitimately to George William, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg and his mistress Eleonore d’Esmier d’Olbreuse.
1674 (during)
Sophia was made legitimate.
1676 (during)
Sophia’s mother and father married.
1677 (around)
A marriage with a Prince of Denmark was discussed but did not come to anything.
1678 (around)
A marriage with the Duke of Brunswick was discussed but was abandoned after Sophia’s father decided George of Hanover was a better match.
1682 (21st November)
Sophia reluctantly married her cousin George, heir to the Duchy of Hanover. The couple did not like each other but their parents had arranged the marriage for the financial benefits it would bring.
1683 (30th October)
A son, George Augustus, was born to Sophia and George at Schloss Herrenhausen, Hanover.
1686 (Spring)
Sophia visited Venice with her in-laws to see the famous Carnival.
1687 (16th March)
A daughter, Sophia Dorothea, was born to Sophia and George at Schloss Herrenhausen, Hanover.
1688 (around)
Sophia’s husband George began an affair with Sophie’s maid of honour, Ermengarde Melusine von der Schulenburg.
1690 (around)
Sophia began corresponding with Philip Christoph von Konigsmarck, a Swedish nobleman.
1692 (March)
Sophia and Philip Christoph began a physical relationship.
1692 (during)
Despite trying to keep her affair secret, news of her relationship was leaked. This was scandalous and brought shame to the family.
1694 (during)
Sophia had an heated argument with her husband after discovering him, his mistress and their daughter in a newly built building in the grounds of their home. George became so angry he tried to strangle her. When she complained to her in-laws she was told to turn a blind eye to his infidelities.
1694 (during)
Sophia’s lover, Swedish count Philip Christoph von Konigsmarck was killed. It is thought likely that George’s father had engineered the murder to avoid a scandal. Sophia was told that Konigsmarck was missing but had probably left of his own will.
1694 (28th December)
George divorced his Sophia on the grounds of desertion for her refusal to live under the same roof.
1695 (early)
Sophia was banished to the Castle of Ahlden and was forbidden to see her children or remarry. She was given the title Duchess of Ahlden.
1700 (around)
Sophia was allowed to have visits from her mother.
1713 (25th February)
Sophia’s daughter, Sophia, became Queen of Prussia and managed to secretly correspond with her mother.
1722 (5th February)
Sophia’s mother, Eleonore Desmier d’Olbreuse, died.
1725 (Autumn)
Sophia’s daughter was visiting Hanover and Sophia hoped that she may be able to visit. However her son-in-law forbade his wife from visiting her mother.
1726 (August)
Sophia was taken ill.
1726 (13th November)
Sophia Dorothea of Celle died at the Castle of Ahlden.
Published Dec 20, 2018 @ 5:25 pm – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for this page::
Heather Y Wheeler. (2018 – 2020). Sophia Dorothea of Celle 1666 – 1726. Available: http://www.thetimelinegeekhttps://www.thetimelinegeek.com/sophia-dorothea-of-celle-1666-1726. Last accessed [date]