During the following Riksdag of 1740–41, an opportunity aroused for the Hat government to declare war against Russia, in which they sought the king's support. Despite the queen's opposition to the war, the king gave his consent, thereafter being given support from the Hats party to resume his relationship with Taube. He then left for Nyköping, officially on a hunting trip, where he resumed his relationship with Hedvig Taube and presented her with a document from the Holy Roman Emperor (during the interregnum represented by the Elector of Saxony), granting her sons the titles Imperial counts of Hessenstein.