Such a fabulous palace and beautiful garden, but, Frederick the Great did not live here when he was a child.  In fact, he had a sad life when he was young.
His father Frederick William I despised royal luxury, completely defunded the arts, and poured all of Prussia's wealth into building a massive army.
He wanted his son to be a hyper-masculine, war-focused soldier.
Young Frederick II was completely the opposite. He loved French literature, philosophy, writing poetry, and playing the flute.
His father viewed these artistic interests as a sign of weakness, effeminacy, and intellectual rebellion.
His father became very abusive, forcing him into an exhausting, strictly daily military schedule.
He would routinely humiliate, mock, and physically beat his son in front of the royal court and troops for playing music or wearing fine clothing.
The most horrible thing happened when the young Frederick was 18. (to be cont'd)