A conspiracy headed by Schack Carl Rantzau, in the name of Queen Dowager Juliana Maria, arrested Struensee, Brandt, and Queen Caroline Matilda in their bedrooms.

After the court returned to Christiansborg Palace on 8 January 1772, a palace coup took place in the early morning of 17 January 1772. Struensee, Brandt, and Queen Caroline Matilda were arrested in their respective bedrooms. The perceived liberation of King Christian VII, who was driven round Copenhagen by his deliverers in a gold carriage, was received with universal rejoicing. The conspiracy, smouldering since autumn 1771, was headed by Schack Carl Rantzau and others in the name of Queen Dowager Juliana Maria, aiming to wrest power from the king and secure her and her son's positions.

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