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Duchess 'Marie Frederike ''Amelie'' of Oldenburg', Queen of Greece (Greek: 'Αμαλία, Βασίλισσα της Ελλάδος') (born December 21, 1818 in Oldenburg, died May 20, 1875 in Bamberg) was the Consort of King Otto (1815-1867). Born the daughter of Paul Friedrich August, Grand Duke of Oldenburg and Princess Adelheid of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym, she married King Otto on 22 November 1836, in Oldenburg.

Contents

Agricultural influence

Fashion influence

Political activity

Assassination attempt

Exile and death

Titles

External links

References

Agricultural influence

Greece's agricultural productivity was insufficient to feed the entire country. Much of the most fertile lands tilled by Greek farmers was still under Ottoman control. Queen Amalia was keenly interested in agriculture and horticulture and she promoted wine growing. Under the direction of the Queen, the Royal Gardens were created just behind the new palace that was built in 1838. The Gardens were laid out in 1839, and over 500 species of plants were ordered from all over the world. Unfortunately, the climate in Athens proved too harsh for many of the plants; still many varieties remain today.

Fashion influence

When she arrived in Greece as a Queen consort in 1837 she had an immediate impact on social life and fashion. She realized that her attire ought to emulate that of her new people, and so she created a romantic folksy court dress, which became a national Greek costume still known as the Amalia dress.
It follows the Biedermeier style, with a kaftan (καβαδι) top over which is worn a richly embroidered jacket. It was completed with a cap or fez, traditionally worn by married women, or with the ''kalpaki'' (a toque) of the unmarried woman, to which was added the black veil for going to church.
This dress became the usual attire of all Christian townswomen in both Ottoman Empire-occupied and liberated Balkan lands as far north as Belgrade.
In the early years of the new monarchy, Queen Amalia, with her beauty and vivaciousness brought a spirit of smart fashion and progress to the impoverished country. She laboured actively towards social improvement and the creation of gardens in Athens, and at first won the hearts of the Greeks with her refreshing beauty. The city of Amalias and the village of Amaliapolis were named for the Queen.

Political activity

As King Otto and his Bavarian advisers became more enmeshed in political struggles with Greek political forces, the Queen became more politically involved, also. She became the target of harsh attacks when she became involved in politics - and her image suffered further as she proved unable to provide an heir. She also remained a Protestant, in an almost universally Orthodox country, throughout her reign.

Assassination attempt

In February, 1861, a University student named Aristeidis Dosios unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate the Queen. He was sentenced to death, but the Queen intervened, and he was pardoned and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was hailed as a hero for his attempt by certain factions, but the attempt also provoked spontaneous feelings of sympathy towards the royal couple among the people. Just over a year later, while the royal couple were on a visit to the Peloponnese, an uprising in Athens took place. The Great Powers, who had supported Otto urged them not resist and the reign of Otto and Amalia was at an end. They left Greece aboard a British warship, with the Greek royal regalia that they had brought with them.

Exile and death

King Otto and Queen Amalia spent the rest of their years in exile, home in Bavaria. They determined to speak in Greek language each day between 6 and 8 o'clock to remember their time in Greece.
Queen Amalia died in Bamberg in 1875 and was buried in Munich beside the King.

Titles

★ ''Her Highness'' Duchess Amalie of Oldenburg 1818-1837

★ ''Her Majesty'' The Queen of Greece 1837-1867

★ ''Her Majesty'' Queen Amalia of Greece 1867-1875

External links

★ http://www.annaswebart.com/culture/costhistory/amalia/

References

★ Brekis, Spyros L. Ph.D.; ''Ιστορια της Νεωτερας Ελλαδος'' (''History of Modern Greece'') (in Greek) (coursebook in the 'History of Modern Greece' course of the University of Athens)

★ Zaoussis, Alexander L.; ''Αμαλια και Οθων'' (''Amalia and Othon'') (in Greek) Okeanida, 2002 ISBN 960-410-254-0