Programma voor de plechtige begrafenis van wijlen Hare Majesteit Mevrouw Sophia Frederika Mathilda, Koningin der Nederlanden, geboren Prinses van Wurtemburg, op Woensdag den 20 Junij 1877, des voormiddags ten 10 ure 1877

Printed in 1877 by M.M. Couvée, this program outlines the funeral proceedings for Queen Sophia Frederika Mathilda of the Netherlands. Sophia, born a princess of Wurtemburg, was a significant figure, yet her legacy is complex, marked by both privilege and personal struggles. This document offers a glimpse into the rituals of royal mourning, the rigid social hierarchies of the time, and the choreography of power. Note how the program meticulously lists the roles assigned to various members of the court, from the Grand Master of the King's Household to the Ladies of the Palace, underscoring the importance of rank and duty. The inclusion of military regiments in the procession further emphasizes the intersection of royal authority and military might. Consider how such ceremonies reinforced social norms, while also providing a public display of national identity and cohesion. This program is a tangible reminder of the ways in which death, even in its most ceremonial form, is deeply intertwined with questions of identity, power, and social order.