Maria Claudetta of Pracht

Maria Claudetta (1670 - Present) is the last child and only daughter of the late Emperor Charles III and his Empress-Consort, Helena Maria. She is currently the Dowager Duchess of Brunswick-Luneburg, through her marriage to her maternal cousin, the late Duke Alois.

Reign of Isabella II - Her Highness, Princess Maria Claudetta
Maria Claudetta was born on 17th October 1670 to Crown Prince Charles (later Charles III) and his wife, Helena Maria of Brunswick-Luneburg. She was the third child of the Crown Prince and had two elder siblings. Her birth was not celebrated as much as her other siblings had been, and she was cared little for by her parents. Her grandmother, Empress Isabella II, was still on the throne at the time of her birth. There were many attempts to remove her father from the line of succession, all of which failed. Isabella II died when she was only three.

Reign of Charles III - Her Imperial Highness, Princess Maria Claudetta
Her father was crowned Emperor when she was four, she was at the coronation, cradled in the arms of her grandfather, now Dowager Emperor. She would get a good education and be described as graceful, polite and witty. She was not cared for by her father, who much preferred her brothers.

As she grew older, she grew into her looks inherited by her mother. She was soon arranged to marry the new Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg, Alois. This marriage would be a happy one and they would have 6 children together over time. She would be most critical of her father, disliking his frivolity and his tastes for the best of everything. She grew as a very simple woman, having only the basic essentials from childhood. She would be close to her two brothers and be most pleased when her brothers would have their own issue. She was present for the birth of her nephew, who would later be Emperor Frederick IV and described the child in her journals.

"A lovely child that I have had the pleasure of meeting today. I thank the Lord that all went well and that both mother and child are well."

She would be most devastated upon the death of her brother, the Crown Prince, in 1694. She feared for the future of the Empire, as Charles III's ill health could result in the infant Frederick inheriting the throne and bringing on a situation of regency. Charles III, however, would die in 1699. The young Crown Prince would then ascend to the throne as Frederick IV, her elder brother Augustus becoming regent for him. She was pleased that her brother had been chosen as the regent, as she was confident that he would be able to do well.

Reign of Frederick IV - Her Highness, Duchess of Brunswick-Luneburg
She would have no real feelings on the death of her father, as she had never really known him or had a relationship with him. She was most enthusiastic for the future reign of her nephew. She was confident in the newly established regency, assuring herself that her brother would help replenish the treasury and bring order back to the Empire after the disastrous frivolity of Charles III which emptied the treasury of vital funds needed to run the nation. Taxes were increased and imposed on the nobility for a short amount of time, as this replenished the treasury quickly.

She would withdraw from court at this time, going quietly to the private manor of her family to spend time with them. She was granted leave by her brother, telling him that she would return upon the Emperor coming of age. In 1708 however, just one year before the regency was expected to end, her dear husband the Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg died. She was devastated and belayed her return to court to 1715, already 6 years into the personal reign of Frederick IV. She took on the title of Dowager Duchess of Brunswick-Luneburg. Frederick IV, upon hearing of this, granted her the same allowance as an Imperial Princess in compensation for her loss.

She'd return to court in 1715 as the Dowager Duchess of Brunswick-Luneburg, returning with her son, now the Duke. She remains at court and enthusiastic about the reign of her nephew to this day.

Issue

 * Duke Charles of Brunswick-Luneburg
 * Maria Claudetta
 * Maria Josephina
 * Frederick Augustus
 * Charles Alois
 * Johanna Claudetta

Titles and Styles
-17th October 1670 - 14th October 1685: Her Highness, Princess Maria Claudetta

-14th October 1685 - 28th September 1708: Her Serene Highness, the Duchess of Brunswick-Luneburg

-28th September 1708 - Present: Her Highness, the Dowager Duchess of Brunswick-Luneburg