Frederik 5. Carl Gustav Pilo · 1751 Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerød, Denmark

The couple had five children of whom the oldest died only two years old. The others, among them the later King Christian 7. all grew to adulthood. The king had the same number of children with his favorite mistress, Madam Hansen, and in between, he also found time for visiting the city's taverns and brothels. Frederik 5.s improvident association with women and alcohol led to his Father, the religious and abstinent Christian 6. early on considering declaring him unable to take care of his own affairs.

Over the years, the King’s alcohol problems increased to such a degree that he would probably not have been able to rule the kingdom without the help of loyal and clever government officials. On the surface, the country was still ruled by the absolute ruler, the King, but in reality, the power was in the hands of the 11-year-older government official, Adam Gottlob Moltke, who already at Frederik 5.s coronation was named Chief Lord Chamberlain.

Moltke was at times busy ruling both the nation and the monarch. Time and time again, the king messed up. In his drunkenness and vehemence he would hit and kick the well-meaning Moltke – afterward, the repenting Frederik 5. would beg for forgiveness and promise improvement. As such, the King writes in a letter to Moltke:

My Dear Moltke! I beg him for reasons of the soul for forgiveness – my hot-tempered head has once again been on the loose. God bless him. This wishes in honesty his always loyal friend and son. Frederik R.

God bless you my dearest friend. – Never do it again. I have failed and I admit it. Don't be sad and forgive me”.

Frederik 5.s period of rule was marked by a progress of commerce and a budding industry. It was at this time that Johan Frederik Classen created the powder plant and the canon factory in Frederiksværk as the first large Danish industrial concern. It was also in this period that the the Frederikstad part of Copenhagen with Amalienborg, the Royal Orphanage, Frederik's Hospital, and the Art Academy of Copenhagen was built. The conservative Moltke made sure that the early demands for land reform were not implemented, so the farmers did not experience the economic advancements.

Despite the drinking and the excess, Frederik 5.s friendly and good-natured appearances earned him a great public popularity. In contrast to the shy and introverted Christian 6., the son was folksy, lively, and besides – he spoke Danish.

With time, the King's hard living left its mark on his health. He died, only 42 years old, in 1766. He was buried in Roskilde Cathedral. His son, Christian 7., succeeded him.