Hedvig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp

Who was Hedvig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp?

Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp was the queen consort of King Charles X of Sweden and queen mother of King Charles XI. She served as regent in Sweden during the minority of her son Charles XI from 1660 until 1672, and during the minority of her grandson Charles XII of Sweden in 1697. She also represented Charles XII during his absence in the Great Northern War from 1700 until the regency of her granddaughter Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden in 1713. Hedwig Eleonora was described as a dominant personality and was regarded as the de facto First Lady of the royal court for 61 years, from 1654 until her death in 1715.