It is almost certain that Frederick was primarily homosexual, and that his sexual orientation was central to his life. While suggested by Voltaire, it is unknown if Frederick engaged in any sexual relationships. At age 16, Frederick seems to have embarked upon a youthful affair with Peter Karl Christoph von Keith, a 17-year-old page of his father. Rumors of the liaison spread in the court and the "intimacy" between the two boys provoked the comments of his sister, Wilhelmine, who wrote, "Though I had noticed that he was on more familiar terms with this page than was proper in his position, I did not know how intimate the friendship was." Rumors finally reached King Frederick William, who cultivated an ideal of ultramasculinity in his court, and derided his son's "effeminate" tendencies. As a result, Keith was dismissed from his service to the king and sent away to a regiment by the Dutch border, while Frederick was sent to Wusterhausen in order to "repent of his sin". King Frederick William may have thought that Frederick's relationship with Hans Hermann von Katte was also romantic, a suspicion which may have played a role in Katte receiving a death sentence. While confined to Kustrin after the Katte affair, Frederick formed an intimate friendship with Michael Gabriel Fredersdorf, whom Frederick romantically corresponded with and demonstrated frequent concern for. Fredersdorf initially became Frederick's valet, when Frederick became king he was provided with an estate and acted as unofficial prime minister.