In 1828, she married her agnatic second cousin, the future King Frederick VII of Denmark, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1837.

The following year, she married another cousin, Karl, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, who was eldest brother of the future Christian IX of Denmark.

Within two months of Wilhelmine Marie's birth, her grandfather died of a cerebral aneurysm and her father became king.

The couple were married on 1 November 1828 by the royal confessor Jacob Peter Mynster at the chapel of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.

In Amalienborg Palace on 19 May 1838 she married second Karl, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, eldest brother of the future King Christian IX of Denmark, and took residence in Kiel.

In 1852 there was a reconciliation and she again enjoyed a close relationship with her family in Copenhagen, returning to Denmark with Karl, often living at Louisenlund Castle.

Her status as the daughter of a well-loved King helped her to regain her popularity among the Danish people.