Archaeologists in Berlin uncovered what they believe to be Julie von Voß’s long-lost resting place, the second wife of Prussian King Frederick William II. The discovery was made on July 8 while renovations were underway at the Schlosskirche Buch, a historic church in Berlin where von Voß was born in 1766 and reportedly wanted to be buried.

The grave during the excavation. Credit: Landesdenkmalamt Berlin, Gunnar Nath

Julie von Voß lived a brief but eventful life. Born to the nobility at Schloss Buch, she entered royal service in 1783 as a lady-in-waiting, reportedly to Queen Elisabeth Christine, although other accounts ᴀssociate her service with Queen Frederika Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt. She was at court when she became acquainted with the future King Frederick William II.

In a most uncommon arrangement for the time, von Voß married the king in a morganatic union—meaning she would not share his rank or succession rights—on April 7, 1787, with the queen’s consent. The wedding was a small ceremony performed in the chapel of Charlottenburg Palace. Shortly after that, she was granted the тιтle of Countess of Ingenheim.

Julie gave birth to a son, Gustav Adolf, in 1789, but her life was cut short in tragic fashion. She died on March 25, 1789, from pulmonary tuberculosis, which then went by the name of “consumption” or “white death.” She was reportedly interred on April 1, 1789, in a private crypt within the very church in which she was born—Schlosskirche Buch. But over time, the location of her grave had been lost to memory, as the tomb had neither been marked nor allotted a gravestone.

Detail of a gilded medallion. Credit: Landesdenkmalamt Berlin, Gunnar Nath

It was only with the recent renovation of the church that the brick-lined, soil-filled crypt was revealed by construction workers from the Berlin State Office for Monument Protection. Inside the crypt, they found a remarkably well-preserved wooden coffin, which bore beautifully worked-out gilded moldings and neoclassical medallions, implying that it had belonged to a person of high social status.

Dr. Sebastian Heber, Department Head of Archaeological Heritage Preservation, expressed his excitement. He said, “The find is outstanding: the burial site provides us with valuable information on an extraordinary woman’s burial at the end of the 18th century.” He noted that the style of burial and its location significantly match the historical records about Julie von Voß’s final wishes.

Portrait of Julie von Voss (1766-1789), morganatic wife of Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia (1744-1797). Public Domain

A spokeswoman from the State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments said that while DNA analysis could confirm the idenтιтy, the coffin has been left undisturbed to preserve the sancтιтy of the grave and maintain the fragile remains.

Archaeological findings match written accounts. The position of the crypt, its singular occupation, and the fineness of detailing on the coffin all point towards Julie von Voß. She had wished to be alone in the church of her birth, and the grave found is believed to be that one. Though no gravestone or inscription was found, experts consider the identification highly likely.

The rediscovery is a reminder of a unique moment in Prussian royal history. The crypt will be documented, secured, and preserved in situ, Berlin State Monuments Office officials said.

More information: Landesdenkmalamt Berlin