Coronation ball at the Veste Heldburg: celebration for Queen Therese!

Coronation ball at the Veste Heldburg: celebration for Queen Therese!

On October 11, 2025, the Veste Heldburg will be the scene of an extraordinary festival commemorating the coronation of Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen as Queen of Bavaria 200 years ago. The coronation ball promises to be a magnificent spectacle and will be presided over by none other than Albrecht von Weech, who has been chosen as master of ceremonies. The aristocratic artist from Munich is not only a presenter and guest speaker, but also a puppeteer, tap dancer, singer and actor. In 2020 he was awarded the Schwabing Art Prize and brings with him an impressive portfolio of talent that will give the event a special shine. In addition to his artistic career, Weech has a family connection to Therese: his ancestor Auguste served as a lady-in-waiting at her court.

Therese Charlotte Luise of Saxe-Hildburghausen, born on July 8, 1792 in the Landséjour hunting lodge near Hildburghausen, was a remarkable personality of her time. After her wedding to King Ludwig I of Bavaria on October 12, 1810, she was of great importance both in society and in politics. Her life path was anything but linear; She suffered from her husband's numerous affairs, but tolerated the disagreements and was still heavily involved in political events and charitable work.

From the wedding to Oktoberfest

One of her most far-reaching legacies is the Oktoberfest, which was founded in 1810 in honor of her wedding and is still celebrated today as the largest folk festival in the world. The celebrations for their wedding were not only attended by dignitaries, but the entire population of Munich was invited, which gave the celebration additional splendor. It lasted five days and included a folk festival, opera performances, plays, a ball and even a grand horse race organized by the National Guard. Therese marked the celebration with her Bavarian wedding dress in the national colors and thus gained a deep connection with the population.

Therese's childhood was not without difficulties. Growing up in Hildburghausen Castle, she suffered from the privations that existed due to a restricted civil list. However, her mother, Charlotte, promoted intellectual life and brought artists to the court. Therese received extensive training in German literature, painting and piano, which strengthened her artistic ambition.

A life with broader meaning

Therese was known for her social commitment. She founded the Theresian Order in 1827 to support needy women and was active in charitable organizations, particularly for widows and orphans. She showed remarkable political influence during the political turmoil in Bavaria, particularly during her husband's affair with Lola Montez, which contributed to Ludwig's unpopularity and his abdication in 1848.

The coronation of Therese 200 years ago is not just a historical event, but a living legacy that still has great resonance today. Her life and work will be honored in a ceremonial setting on October 11, 2025 at the coronation ball at the Veste Heldburg. It is an occasion that speaks to both the celebrations of the past and the cultural connection to the present. Seen from this perspective, the ball will certainly be a good place for people to remember their queen.