Christian IX, born on the eight of April 1818 at Gottorp Castle in Schleswig, will become king on the 15th of November 1863. The first period of his reign is marked by an unfortunate historical event: Denmark looses the Duchy of Schleswig - Holstein - Lanenburg to Prussia in the battle of Dybbool. The war of the duchies (1864) leaves the king without two-fifths of the kingdom and 20% of its population.
In spite of that all, during Christian IX 40 year long reign, Denmark witnesses an unprecedented economic development: Agriculture, industry and fishing develop, sites are modernized, and swamps are reclaimed as compensation to the lands lost in the 1864 war. He also succeeds in bringing positive changes to the political system of the country. Denmark will have bicameral parliamentary system starting 1866 when the reformation of the Constitution takes place.
The same Wladimir D’ Ormesson recalls that in order to exercise their capacity to communicate even the king and queen were made talk to empty chairs on which laid tickets indicating the rank of the imaginary interlocutor.
All six children of King Christian IX are strategically and happily married, relating Denmark to all of the most important dominating families. This brought the king the surname “Europe’s Father in Law” (Alexandra marries prince of Wales, son of king Victoria of England; Wilhelm, future king of Greece, marries the niece of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia - Olga Constantinova; Dagmar, initially married to Tsarevich Nicolas, remarries his smaller brother after Nicholas dies of tuberculosis; Thyra marries Ernst August II of Hanover; and Valdemar marries Marie D’Orleans, the daughter of Duke of Chartres - Robert D’Orleans).
In 1942 he marries Louise de Hesse Cassel with whom he will lead a simple life without excess. The receptions the two held at Fredensborg Castle were said to be unusually modest: the guests were hosted in rustic chambers on the walls of which there hanged cards bearing the quality of the occupant. In case all chambers were occupied the members of the court, the ladies and the sambelans were moved to tents in the park.
The two had six children (Frederik, Alexandra, Wilhelm, Dagmar, Thyra and Valdemar), whom they offered an exemplary education. Wladimir D’ Ormesson, famous statesman of that time (The ambassador of France in different countries), tells that the six prices used to number to one hundred and back while on their way to the Opera in order convince the public they were cheerful and talkative.
