Elisabeth therefore had a very visible and official role in Prussia. During the first seventeen years of her husband's reign, she shared the representational duties of the court with her mother-in-law until the latter's death in 1757, When she handled them alone. Frederick gave Elisabeth her own summer residence, Schönhausen Palace in Berlin, and redecorated her apartments in the Berlin Royal Palace, appointing a large court for her to assist her in upholding the court routine. In Berlin, Elisabeth received foreign princes, ambassadors and generals; entertained the royal family and Prussian aristocracy with concerts; and hosted a circle of Lutheran theologians such as Büschning, Spaldning and Zöllner. At both residences, she presided at the weekly reception days, "courtage", which were the only occasions where the entire Prussian royal court assembled as a whole during the reign of Frederick the Great. Her receptions were always well attended as she hosted the only court life taking place in Prussia at the time, which made it an important social center and a place to meet important people.