Construction workers in Germany may have found the remains of Philip Christoph Königsmarck, the man known to history as the devoted paramour of 17th century royal Princess Sophia Dorothea.
Construction workers in Germany may have found the remains of Philip Christoph Königsmarck, the man known to history as the devoted paramour of 17th century royal Princess Sophia Dorothea.
Though their love was one for the ages, he mysteriously disappeared shortly before he and Dorothea were to flee from her oppressive husband, Georg Ludwig.
What actually became of Königsmarck has long been uncertain, but it is generally assumed he was killed at Ludwig’s behest.
Reports made shortly after he went missing offer a variety of possible final resting places, including at the bottom of a river and somewhere along the outskirts of the Germany’s Leine Castle, which is where he reportedly last saw Dorothea.
Researchers from Lund University plan to perform a DNA test to determine if the remains, which were found in the castle, do, indeed, belong to Dorothea’s slain lover.
Though confirming the identity will provide the story with a tidier ending, it will likely do little to make it less tragic.
After Königsmarck vanished, Dorothea was reportedly ordered by her husband to spend the remainder of her days imprisoned.
Not long after, Ludwig ascended to the throne of Great Britain, taking the name King George I.