Christian Friedrich, Baron Stockmar

Christian Friedrich Freiherr von Stockmar (22 August 1787 – 9 July 1863) was an Anglo-Belgian statesman, who was a leading player in the affairs of the United Kingdom under Queen Victoria.

Early life and education

He was born in Coburg of a Swedish family. He was educated as a physician, and became the personal physician of Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in 1816 at the time of Leopold's marriage to Princess Charlotte of the United Kingdom.

In service of King Leopold

Charlotte died giving birth to a stillborn son about a year later (had she lived, Leopold would have been Prince Consort of the United Kingdom), and Stockmar stayed in Leopold's service as his private secretary, controller of the household, and political advisor.

One of the services he provided was procuring a mistress for Leopold: he prevailed upon one of his cousins, Caroline “Lina” Philippine Auguste Bauer, an actress, who went through a form of marriage with Leopold that was almost certainly invalid. (Her marriage contract specified that she was to receive the title Countess of Montgomery).

When Leopold came under scrutiny for the position of King of the Belgians, Stockmar's cousin was quickly discarded, and Leopold was made king in 1831. Stockmar took up residence in Coburg, continuing to advise Leopold. In 1837, he was sent by Leopold to serve as advisor to Queen Victoria: one of his first tasks was to brief her on whether Leopold's nephew, Prince Albert (later Prince Consort), was a suitable mate. After the marriage of Victoria and Albert, Stockmar became their unofficial counsellor, and intervened in several crises.

Ambassador to the German parliament

In 1848 he was made ambassador of Coburg to the German parliament.

His prominence in the United Kingdom's political circles led to resentment at what was seen to be Albert's (and, generally, German) intervention in the UK's affairs.

Stockmar was raised to the rank of baron by the King of Saxony.

Marriage

In August 1832 he married Fanny Sommer; they had two children, Ernst Alfred Christian von Stockmar (1823-1886), and Carl August von Stockmar (1836-1909).