German monarch and musician King Friedrich of Prussia, also known as Friedrich the Great, was BOTD in 1712. Born in Berlin, the son of Crown Prince Frederick William of Prussia, he became Crown Prince when he was a year old, following the death of his grandfather. The young Friedrich loved music, literature and French culture, clashing with his militaristic father who thought his interests effeminate. Also of concern was Friedrich’s relationship with his father’s page Peter Karl Christoph von Keith, who was promptly despatched to war. Friedrich then became intimate friends with the solider Hans Hermann von Katte, becoming so besotted that they planned to flee Prussia and elope to England. Both were captured and arrested; Friedrich was pardoned, but was forced to witness von Katte’s execution. He was then made to marry Elizabeth Christine of Brunswick-Bevern, threatening suicide beforehand and declaring “There can be neither love nor friendship between us”. The marriage was childless, and he banned her from his court after becoming King in 1740. He became a surprisingly effective military commander, expanding Prussia’s territories via a series of successful campaigns. Under his reign, Prussia became one of Europe’s greatest economic powers, characterised by financial stability, a degree of religious tolerance and the establishment of trade with China. A gifted musician, he was a patron of various Bachs and composed over 200 pieces for the flute, which he enjoyed performing for his posse of male courtiers. Friedrich had a series of male lovers, and a turbulent, romantically-charged relationship with the French writer Voltaire. After their falling-out, Voltaire wrote a wonderfully bitchy account of Friedrich’s sexuality which he circulated around Europe. Friedrich reigned until his death in 1786, aged 74, and was buried with his beloved Italian greyhounds.