In the company of her mother and aunt, Hedvig Taube was brought to the king at Karlberg Palace upon his return from Hesse 12 November 1731. Shortly thereafter, she was appointed "hovfröken" (maid of honour), to queen Ulrika Eleonora to become accessible to the king at court and, though it was not spoken aloud, to become his mistress. When the carriage came to take her to court, Tersmeden reported her saying; "My fate is harder than I could imagine. I am being forced to expose my virtue to save a family ruined by gambling".