Princess Juliane of Hesse-Philippsthal

Juliane was the daughter of Landgrave William of Hesse-Philippsthal (1726–1810) and his wife Ulrike Eleonore, Landgravine of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld (1732–1795). She spent some of her youth in 's-Hertogenbosch, where her father served as a Dutch general. She received a German education.^[1][2]

On 10 October 1780 she married in Philippsthal to Count Philip Ernest of Schaumburg-Lippe.^[2] Philipp Ernst, who was 57 years old at the time and already a widower, died after only seven years of marriage. Countess Juliane took up government, together with Count Johann Ludwig, Reichsgraf von Wallmoden-Gimborn as regent for her minor son George William.^[1]

Immediately afterwards, Landgrave William of Hesse-Kassel occupied Schaumburg-Lippe militarily, arguing it was a fief of Hesse, and vacant after Philip II's death. With support from Hanover, Prussia and the Imperial Council, Juliane managed to achieve a rapid withdrawal of the Hessian troops.^[1]

The Government of Juliane is considered extremely beneficial.^[2] She conducted thorough reforms of the economy and education, downsized the court, continued the tolerant policy towards the Jews her father-in-law had introduced and managed to cut taxes.^{[citation needed]} She appointed Bernhard Christoph Faust as her personal physician, and helped him significantly with the introduction of the smallpox inoculation.^[2]

Countess Juliane initiated a redesign of Hagenburg castle and she is considered the founder of the spa Bad Eilsen.

Philip and Juliane had four children.^[1]

• Countess Eleonore Luise (1781–1783)
• Countess Wilhelmine Charlotte (1783–1858)
• Count Georg Wilhelm (1784–1860), later (first) Prince Sovereign of Schaumburg-Lippe
• Countess Karoline Luise (1786–1846)

She died on 9 November 1799 after a severe cold and was buried in a mausoleum in the Schaumburg Forest.^[1] Count von Wallmoden-Gimborn continued to act as a regent for her son.^{[citation needed]}