Since 1784, Egeskov has been owned by the Bille family and almost a hundred years later by the current Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille family, who also live in the castle today.

Throughout history, Egeskov has been owned by several of Denmark’s most prominent noble families, including the Skinkel, Brockenhuus, Ulfeldt, Krag, Bille-Brahe, and Ahlefeldt families. From around the 15th century, Egeskov was an unfortified village manor that gradually expanded its lands. However, it was not until Frands Brockenhuus acquired Egeskov through his marriage to Anne Tinhuus in 1545 that the castle was built.

Frands Brockenhuus was one of the most educated men of his time and, as bailiff of Nyborg, was one of the king’s most trusted advisors, belonging to the inner circle. He was later appointed marshal of the realm and played a decisive role in the Seven Years' War, where he ultimately died during the siege of Varberg.

In 1569, his son Laurids Brockenhuus took over Egeskov Castle after his father’s death. He followed in his father’s military footsteps and also became bailiff of Nyborg. Laurids is particularly remembered for his harsh treatment of his daughter Rigborg, whom he locked in a room at the castle until his death. Rigborg’s “offense” was that during her time at the court of King Christian IV, she began an illicit relationship with the young lieutenant Frederik Rosenkrantz.

The Ulfeldt Family at Egeskov
After Laurids Brockenhuus's death, his widow, Karen Skram, took over, marking the beginning of a turbulent period in Egeskov's ownership history. Following her, the castle passed to their youngest daughter, Karen Brockenhuus, and her husband, Hans Pogwisch. However, the same year, the castle was transferred to the elder sister Elisabeth’s sons, Jakob and Frands Ulfeldt of Bavelse. They owned Egeskov from 1615 until 1616, when Laurids and Karen’s daughter, Birgitte Brockenhuus, took over the castle with her husband, Chancellor Jakob Ulfeldt. Jakob Ulfeldt secured mortgages on the land and estate in 1620, which remained under their care until 1632, when their sons inherited their shares. One of these sons was Corfitz Ulfeldt, a significant figure of the period.

In the 1630s, Laurids Ulfeldt began buying out his brothers’ shares, gaining full ownership of the estate before passing it on to his father-in-law, Oluf Parsberg. Parsberg held Egeskov for only eight years before a more permanent family, the Krag family, took over the estate for over a century.

The Krag Family’s Vision
Otte Krag purchased Egeskov from Oluf Parsberg in 1656, and over the following generations, the estate significantly expanded. Under his grandson, Niels Krag “The Younger,” new ideas and visions were realized, resulting in the creation of impressive French-inspired gardens. It was also during this period that the labyrinth was constructed, and the embankment to the east was established, providing a land-based connection between the castle and the gardens.

By 1763, however, Niels Krag “The Younger’s” wife, Sophie, was widowed, having lost both her husband and son, Frederik Christian Krag. Sophie continued to manage Egeskov until 1784 and established Krag’s Hospital in Kværndrup and Sophie Krag’s Hospital in the Village Vester Skerninge. Overall, she had a significant influence on Egeskov and the development of the local area.

 Bille takes over Egeskov
In 1784, Sophie’s widow sold Egeskov to the aging county governor and Privy Councilor, Henrik Bille. As his family was closely related to the Brahe family on Funen, it was arranged for Henrik’s son to take over the Brahe estates when the last Brahe, Preben, died without heirs in 1786. This arrangement was realized in 1787 when Axel Frederik was granted the right to use the Brahe name and arms as Bille-Brahe. However, he died that same year, leaving his father, Henrik Bille, who had acquired Egeskov in 1784, authorized to carry on the family name and coat of arms from 1788.

With the eldest son Axel Frederik deceased, it fell to his son Preben Bille-Brahe to maintain both Egeskov’s land and estate, as well as the order of succession from the Brahes. Preben established himself at Hvedholm Castle and became one of the country’s largest landowners. Until his death in 1810, Preben’s mother, Caroline Agnese von Raben, lived at Egeskov Castle. In 1798, Preben was admitted to the peerage and established the county of Brahesminde. Later, Egeskov was designated as a separate manor and barony for his second eldest son, Frederik Siegfred.

In 1857, Preben Bille-Brahe passed away, and Frederik Siegfred moved into the castle, initiating a period of renovation and modernization, particularly of the castle's interior. After Baron Frederik Siegfred's death, his son Frantz Preben Bille-Brahe returned from his legation in Rome in the early 1870s with his wife, Camille Sophie af Harmens, to continue managing the castle and grounds.

Tranekær & Egeskov Unite
In 1882, Jessie and Julius took over Egeskov. Their grand wedding in 1875 united Jessie’s Bille-Brahe family with Julius’ Ahlefeldt-Laurvig family. Significant developments occurred at Egeskov during their tenure, with extensive modernization of the castle and grounds taking place in the 1880s and land management optimized. The couple laid the groundwork for how Egeskov appears today.

Their grandson Gregers, along with his wife Nonni, opened the garden to the public in the early 1960s, and their son Claus spearheaded the transformation of Egeskov from an agricultural estate to a tourism destination with the opening of the Egeskov Veteran Museum in 1967. Claus also collaborated with Piet Hein to construct the current labyrinth, which continues to delight visitors. The castle was opened to guests as well.

Today, Egeskov is one of the country’s largest and most internationally recognized attractions, serving as the home of Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille and his wife, Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. Since taking over in the early 1990s, Count Michael has accelerated development, establishing a fantastic excursion center for the whole family.