Frederick VIII of Schleswig and Holstein
|
|
Duke Frederick VIII (July 6, 1829 - January 14, 1880) (Friedrich Herzog von Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg in German), was the father-in-law of Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany.
Frederick became the symbol of the nationalist German independence-movement in Schleswig-Holstein, after his father in exchange for money had renounced his claims as first in line to inherit the twin-duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, following the London protocol of May 8th, 1852, which concluded the First war of Schleswig.
In November 1863 Frederick claimed the twin-duchies in succession after King Frederick VII of Denmark, who also was the Duke of Schleswig and Holstein, and who had died without a male heir. As the duchies were inherited after the salic law among descendants of Helwig of Schauenburg (the Kingdom of Denmark was also under Salic Law, but its male heirs became extinct and operation of Semi-Salic provision or election led to different outcome there), the independence-movement had long nourished hopes that the king's death would lead to their goal.
Bismarck used the turbulence to invade the duchies in a Second war of Schleswig, and in the end both the independence-movement, Duke Frederick and all other interested powers were put aside, and the duchies incorporated into Prussia. Frederick and his heirs continued to use the title, which after the next generation went over to the Glucksburg branch, to heirs of the elder brother of Christian IX of Denmark.