One of the largest Baroque palaces in Germany
Ludwigsburg Residential Palace
Queen Charlotte Mathilde's bedroom at Ludwigsburg Residential Palace

A balance of representation and privacyThe queen's apartment

Queen Charlotte Mathilde's rooms at Ludwigsburg Residential Palace exude a dignified noblesse. As the daughter of the English king, it was important to the Württemberg monarch that her apartment clearly demonstrate her noble heritage and rank.

Queen Charlotte Mathilde's throne in the audience chamber in her apartment at Ludwigsburg Residential Palace

A clear hierarchy: this throne is one step lower than that of the king.

A throne for the queen

The audience chamber is the most representative room in Queen Charlotte Mathilde's apartment. Royal architect Nikolaus Friedrich von Thouret decorated it in 1806, based on the design of the king's audience chamber. The platform on which the queen's throne resides is one step lower than that of the king's. And yet, the queen's audience chamber still conveys a sense of authority. This is in part thanks to the elegant throne canopy and the luxurious original red silk wall covering.

Queen Charlotte Mathilde's study at Ludwigsburg Residential Palace

A hall of mirrors as a study.

Charlotte Mathilde's favorite room

Supposedly, Queen Charlotte Mathilde most enjoyed spending her time in her study. She used the giant desk along the window wall to conduct her correspondence with relatives and friends across all of Europe. The room is designed as a hall of mirrors which is unusual for the Classical style. Beginning with renovations in 1818, Thouret based the decor on the room's Baroque decor and lent the green marble pilasters a strict architectural structure.

Bed in Queen Charlotte Mathilde's bedroom at Ludwigsburg Residential Palace

The queen's bed with a luxurious canopy.

The bedroom

Queen Charlotte Mathilde updated her bedroom last, beginning in 1824. By that time, the queen was already a widow, but continued to reside at Ludwigsburg. The flat pilasters again show Egyptian motifs. Heavy, red silk damask dominates the room, lending it a festive nature. The bed canopy is especially elaborate, with golden detailing.

Queen Charlotte Mathilde's summer study at Ludwigsburg Residential Palace

Furnished with Biedermeier pieces.

The summer study

The queen dowager's summer study on the north side is cheerful and outfitted with Biedermeier furniture. The embroidered fabric chair and sofa covers are most likely the work of the artistically gifted Charlotte Mathilde herself. The small reading desk from 1800 is a rare example of Johannes Klinckerfuß's kidney-shaped furniture. The fold-out bookrest supports a watercolor under glass.

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