Category Archives: German Royals

Alexandrine of Prussia, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Alexandrine of Prussia, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Credit – Wikipedia

Princess Alexandrine of Prussia was the wife of Grand Duke Paul Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. She was born in Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia, now in Brandenburg, Germany, on February 23, 1803, the daughter of King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia and Princess Luise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and was given the names Friederike Wilhelmine Alexandrine Marie Helene. She was known as Alexandrine, a name given to her in honor of her godfather, Alexander I, Emperor of All Russia. Alexandrine had eight siblings:

Paul Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Credit – Wikipedia

After rejecting a marriage proposal from the future King Oscar I of Sweden, Alexandrine married the future Grand Duke Paul Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin in Berlin on May 25, 1822. The couple took up residence at Ludwigslust Palace, and although the marriage was not a happy one, they had three children:

The Alexandrine Cottage in Heiligendamm. photo: Von Niteshift – Selbst fotografiert, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10361282

After Alexandrine’s husband’s accession in 1837, he moved the court to Schwerin, leaving Ludwigslust to serve as a summer residence. They took up residence at the Altes Palais (link in German) in the center of the city. Just five years later, Paul Friedrich died and was succeeded by the couple’s son, Friedrich Franz II. Now the Dowager Duchess, Alexandrine retained the Altes Palais as her residence in Schwerin, and the Alexandrine Cottage in Heiligendamm (link in German).

Alexandrine in her later years, circa 1891; Credit – Wikipedia

The Dowager Grand Duchess Alexandrine died in Schwerin, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, on April 21, 1892, at the age of 89. By that time, she had been widowed for fifty years, lived through the reign of her son, and saw her grandson succeed to the Grand Ducal throne in 1883. She was also the last living grandchild of King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia and had seen the Prussian throne held by her father, two brothers, a nephew, and a great-nephew. She is buried beside her husband in the Schwerin Cathedral.

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Mecklenburg-Schwerin Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Paul Friedrich, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin: The Duchy of Mecklenburg was divided and partitioned a number of times over the centuries.  In 1701, the last division created the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna recognized both Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz as grand duchies. Friedrich Franz I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin became the first Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. On November 14, 1918, at the end of World War I, Friedrich Franz IV was forced to abdicate as Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Today the territory encompassing the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin is in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

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Paul Friedrich, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Credit – Wikipedia

Grand Duke Paul Friedrich was born in Ludwigslust, Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, on September 15, 1800, the eldest son of Friedrich Ludwig, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and his first wife, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna of Russia.

Paul Friedrich had one younger sister:

Paul Friedrich had three half-siblings from his father’s second marriage to Caroline Louise of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach:

Paul Friedrich’s education began at home before studying in Geneva, Jena, and Rostock. However, his studies came to an end when his father died in 1819, making Paul Friedrich heir apparent to his grandfather. Having been a member of the Mecklenburg military since the age of 10, Paul Friedrich was appointed Major General in 1822. He was also created Major General in the Prussian Army following his marriage two years later. Beginning in 1830, he served as Inspector General of the Mecklenburg-Schwerin forces and served until his accession in 1837.

Alexandrine with the couple’s two eldest children, 1825; Credit – Wikipedia

On May 25, 1822, in Berlin, Paul Friedrich married Princess Alexandrine of Prussia. She was the daughter of King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia and Princess Luise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. They had six children:

Paul Friedrich also had several children with his mistress, Countess Catarina Hauke. She was the sister of Julia Hauke, later Princess of Battenberg.

Paul Friedrich became Grand Duke upon his grandfather’s death on February 1, 1837. He moved the official Grand Ducal residence from Ludwigslust to Schwerin and worked to improve the judicial system and the infrastructure of the Grand Duchy. Using his experience with the Prussian military, the Grand Duke made efforts to modernize the Mecklenburg-Schwerin military, basing many of his reforms on the Prussian forces. As his reign continued, he became more reclusive, often shunning his family and spending time quietly with his mistress.

Tomb of Grand Duke Paul Friedrich, in Schwerin Cathedral. photo: by Niteshift – Self-photographed, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3019662

Grand Duke Paul Friedrich died in Schwerin, Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany on March 7, 1842. Several weeks earlier, he had contracted a cold while helping to battle a great fire in Schwerin, and never recovered. Following his funeral later that month, he was buried in the Schwerin Cathedral.

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Mecklenburg-Schwerin Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Luise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2018

Luise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Credit – Wikipedia

Luise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg was the wife of the future Grand Duke Friedrich Franz I of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. She was born on March 9, 1756 in Roda in the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, now in Thuringia, Germany,  the younger daughter of Prince Johann August of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg and Countess Luise Reuss of Schleiz. Luise had one older sister:

Upon the death of their mother, Luise and her sister became co-Countesses of Limpurg-Gaildorf, a title their mother had inherited from her mother in 1734. Luise and Auguste later sold their shares of the Limpurg-Gaildorf inheritance to Karl Eugen, Duke of Württemberg in 1780.

Friedrich Franz of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Credit – Wikipedia

On June 1, 1775, Luise married Friedrich Franz, then the Hereditary Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, at Friedenstein Palace in Gotha, Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg now in the German state of Thuringia. They went on to have six children:

The Luise Mausoleum at Ludwigslust Palace. photo: Von Niteshift – Selbst fotografiert, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3359830

Luise became the Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin upon her husband’s accession in 1785. She died at Ludwigslust Palace in Ludwigslust, then in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany on January 1, 1808, and is buried in the Luise Mausoleum (link in German) which was built for her at Ludwigslust Palace.

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Mecklenburg-Schwerin Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Friedrich Franz I, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2018

Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin: The Duchy of Mecklenburg was divided and partitioned several times over the centuries.  In 1701, the last division created the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna recognized Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz as grand duchies. Friedrich Franz I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin became the first Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. On November 14, 1918, at the end of World War I, Friedrich Franz IV was forced to abdicate as Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Today the territory encompassing the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin is in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

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Friedrich Franz I, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Credit – Wikipedia

Friedrich Franz I was the first Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He was born in Schwerin, then in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany on December 10, 1756, the only son of Duke Ludwig of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Princess Charlotte Sophie of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. He had one younger sister:

Friedrich Franz was initially educated at home before studying in Switzerland in 1766. Five years later, after having fallen in love with a woman considered far beneath his station, his father had him return to Ludwigslust to avoid any thoughts of pursuing the relationship. Soon, he was sent on a tour of Europe to find a suitable bride.

Luise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg; Credit – Wikipedia

After being refused by his favorite, Luise of Hesse-Darmstadt (who went on to marry the future Grand Duke Karl August of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach), he met Princess Luise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. She was the daughter of Prince Johann August of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg and Countess Luise Reuss of Schleiz. A relationship quickly developed, and the two were married at Friedenstein Palace in Gotha on June 1, 1775. Friedrich Franz and Luise had six children:

Friedrich Franz also had numerous mistresses and fathered at least 15 illegitimate children. He maintained close contact with them, providing financial support and arranging for the best education possible for his sons.

Friedrich Franz became the reigning Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on April 24, 1785, following the death of his childless uncle Friedrich II. As reigning Duke, Friedrich Franz worked to be a peacemaker within the Duchy, helping to resolve conflicts between the classes. He entered into a treaty with the Netherlands, deploying several battalions of soldiers in exchange for income which financed hospitals, schools, and other institutions. In 1793, he founded Germany’s first seaside resort Heiligendamm in Bad Doberan, which became a popular holiday spot for many  German rulers.

Initially remaining neutral during the Napoleonic wars, Mecklenburg-Schwerin was occupied by French forces in December 1806, and Friedrich Franz was forced to flee. The following year, through the intervention of Alexander I, Emperor of All Russia, Friedrich Franz I was able to return on the condition that he would join Napoleon’s Confederation of the Rhine, which he did in March 1808. However, in March 1813, he became the first German ruler to leave the Confederation, having decided to join with the Russians to fight against Napoleon. He rallied the people of Mecklenburg-Schwerin to gather arms and equipment to join the fight, and by November of that year, the French forces had been forced out of the duchy. After Napoleon’s defeat, Friedrich Franz was raised to Grand Duke on June 17, 1815, following the Congress of Vienna. The remaining years of his reign focused on strengthening the education system in the Grand Duchy, pushing for legal reforms, and abolishing serfdom.

The tomb of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz I. source: Doberan Minster; Credit – Wikipedia

Grand Duke Friedrich Franz I died of lung disease at Ludwigslust Palace in Ludwigslust, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany on February 1, 1837. He was succeeded by his grandson, Paul Friedrich. He was buried in the vault at the Doberan Minster in Bad Doberan, in Bad Doberan in Mecklenburg, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. His sarcophagus, which he commissioned in 1831, was not completed until six years after his death. In December 1843, Friedrich Franz’s remains were moved to the large granite tomb in front of the high altar. In 1976, the tomb was moved to a side aisle in the western part of the Doberan Minster.

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Mecklenburg-Schwerin Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Marie of Hesse-Kassel, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2018

Marie of Hesse-Kassel, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; Credit – Wikipedia

Princess Marie of Hesse-Kassel was the wife of Grand Duke Georg of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She was born Princess Marie Wilhelmine Friederike on January 21, 1796, in Hanau, Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel, now in Hesse, Germany. She was the second daughter of Prince Friedrich of Hesse-Kassel and Princess Karoline of Nassau-Usingen. Marie had seven siblings:

Grand Duke Georg of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; Credit – Wikipedia

On August 12, 1817, Marie married Grand Duke Georg of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, in Kassel. They had four children:

Marie’s copy of Raphael’s ‘Christ Falling on the Way to Calvary’, painted in 1856, used on the altar at the town church in Neustrelitz. photo: Von Concord – Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20264996

A talented painter, Marie often painted copies of famous paintings. Many were used as altarpieces in churches within Mecklenburg, including the town churches in Schönberg and Neustrelitz – both of which still exist. Another, which was used in the Johanniterkirche in Mirow, was destroyed when the church burned in 1945.

Marie in her later years. source: Wikipedia

Having survived her husband by just three months, the Dowager Grand Duchess Marie died in Neustrelitz, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, now in Střelice u Stoda, the Czech Republic on December 30, 1880. She is buried in the New Crypt at the Johanniterkirche in Mirow, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.

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Mecklenburg-Strelitz Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Georg, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz: The Duchy of Mecklenburg was divided and partitioned a number of times over the centuries.  In 1701, the last division created the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna recognized both Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz as grand duchies. Carl II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz became the first Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

On, February 23, 1918, Grand Duke Adolf Friedrich VI of Mecklenburg-Schwerin died by suicide. The heir presumptive was serving with the Russian military and had made it known that he wished to renounce his rights of succession. Friedrich Franz IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, served as Regent for the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The regency lasted only nine months, as on November 14, 1918, Friedrich Franz IV was forced to abdicate as Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, as well as the Regent of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Today the territory encompassing the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz is in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

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Georg, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; Credit – Wikipedia

Grand Duke Georg was born in Hanover, Electorate of Hanover, now in the German state of Lower Saxony, on August 12, 1779, to the future Carl II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and his first wife, Friederike of Hesse-Darmstadt.

Georg had nine siblings. His mother three days after giving birth to her last child from childbirth complications:

Georg had one half-sibling from his father’s second marriage to his mother’s sister Charlotte of Hesse-Darmstadt who, like her sister also died from childbirth complications.

  • Karl (1785-1837) – unmarried

Georg’s early years were spent in Hanover, where his father served as Governor-General. Following the death of his stepmother Charlotte, the family moved to Darmstadt, Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt, now in the German state of Hesse, where Georg and his siblings were raised primarily by their maternal grandmother. As second in line for the ducal throne, Georg was educated with the expectation of one day assuming the throne. In 1794, his childless uncle, Duke Adolf Friedrich IV, died. Georg’s father became the reigning Duke, while Georg took on the title of Hereditary Prince. Georg began studying at the University of Rostock, in Rostock, the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, before moving to Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia, now in the German state of Brandenburg, to continue his education. He later spent two years traveling before returning to become involved in the running of the government.

In 1807, Georg represented his father in Paris to negotiate the duchy’s entry into the Confederation of the Rhine. He again represented his father seven years later at the Congress of Vienna. Through his efforts, Mecklenburg-Strelitz was raised to a Grand Duchy, with Georg becoming the Hereditary Grand Duke. He became Grand Duke on November 6, 1816, upon his father’s death.

Marie of Hesse-Kassel; Credit – Wikipedia

The following year, on August 12, 1817, Georg married Princess Marie of Hesse-Kassel. She was the daughter of Landgrave Freidrich of Hesse-Kassel and Princess Caroline of Nassau-Usingen. Georg and Marie had four children:

Coming to the grand ducal throne, Georg found Mecklenburg-Strelitz in great debt and in need of much rebuilding. To eliminate much of the debt, he sold several towns to Prussia that had been given to the Grand Duchy at the Congress of Vienna. He abolished serfdom in 1820 and worked to raise the education standards, building schools and instituting compulsory education. He made vast improvements to the infrastructure which would help to energize the grand duchy’s economy.

After a reign of nearly 54 years, Grand Duke Georg died in Neustrelitz, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, now in the German state of  Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, on September 6, 1860, at the age of 81. He is buried in the New Crypt at the Johanniterkirche in Mirow, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, now in the German state of  Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. He was succeeded by his son, Friedrich Wilhelm.

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Mecklenburg-Strelitz Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Charlotte of Hesse-Darmstadt, Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; Credit – Wikipedia

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Charlotte of Hesse-Darmstadt; Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; Credit – Wikipedia

Charlotte Wilhelmine Christiane Marie of Hesse-Darmstadt was the second wife of the future Grand Duke Carl II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She was born in Darmstadt, Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt, now in Hesse, Germany, on November 5, 1755, the second daughter of Prince Georg Wilhelm of Hesse-Darmstadt and Countess Maria Luise Albertine of Leiningen-Falkenburg-Dagsburg. Charlotte had eight siblings:

Carl of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; Credit – Wikipedia

After a brief engagement to the future Duke Wilhelm of Oldenburg ended due to his mental illness, Charlotte married the future Grand Duke Carl II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in Darmstadt on September 28, 1784. Carl had previously been married to her older sister, Friederike, who had died after giving birth to her tenth child two years earlier. Charlotte and Carl had one son:

  • Carl (1785 -1837) – unmarried

Twelve days after giving birth to her son, Charlotte died of complications from childbirth in Hanover, Electorate of Hanover, now in Lower Saxony, Germany. She was buried in the New Crypt of the Johanniterkirche in Mirow, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany

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Mecklenburg-Strelitz Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Friederike of Hesse-Darmstadt, Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Friederike of Hesse-Darmstadt, Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; Credit – Wikipedia

Friederike Karoline Luise of Hesse-Darmstadt was the first wife of the future Grand Duke Carl II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She was born in Darmstadt, Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt, now in Hesse, Germany, on August 20, 1752, the eldest daughter of Prince Georg Wilhelm of Hesse-Darmstadt and Countess Maria Luise Albertine of Leiningen-Falkenburg-Dagsburg. Friederike had eight siblings:

Carl of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; Credit – Wikipedia

On September 18, 1768, in Darmstadt, Friederike married Carl of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. At the time, he was heir-presumptive to his brother, the Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Friederike and Carl had ten children:

New Crypt at the Johanniterkirche; Credit – Wikipedia by Von Peter Schmelzle 

On May 22, 1782, three days after giving birth to her last child, Friederike died from complications of childbirth in the Electorate of Hanover, now in Lower Saxony, Germany. She is buried in the New Crypt at the Johanniterkirche in Mirow, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, now in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Two years later, her husband married her younger sister Charlotte, who also died in childbirth. He later became the first Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in 1815.

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Mecklenburg-Strelitz Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Carl II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz: The Duchy of Mecklenburg was divided and partitioned a number of times over the centuries.  In 1701, the last division created the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna recognized both Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz as grand duchies. Carl II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz became the first Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

On, February 23, 1918, Grand Duke Adolf Friedrich VI of Mecklenburg-Schwerin died by suicide. The heir presumptive was serving with the Russian military and had made it known that he wished to renounce his rights of succession. Friedrich Franz IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, served as Regent for the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The regency lasted only nine months, as on November 14, 1918, Friedrich Franz IV was forced to abdicate as Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, as well as the Regent of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Today the territory encompassing the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz is in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

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Carl II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; Source – Wikipedia

Carl II, the first Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was born Duke Carl Ludwig Friedrich Of Mecklenburg on October 10, 1741, at Mirow Castle in Mirow, Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, now in the German state of  Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. He was the sixth of ten children of Duke Karl Ludwig of Mecklenburg, Prince of Mirow and Princess Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen. His siblings were:

Carl was raised in Mirow and received his education under the direction of Reverend Gottlob Burchard Genzmer. As the second son of the heir-presumptive to the Dukedom of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, there was little expectation that Carl would one day take the throne. However, his father died in June 1752, and several months later, his uncle, the reigning Duke, died in December. Carl’s elder brother became Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and Carl was now the heir-presumptive.

In 1755, Carl left home and began serving in the Hanoverian army, in which he received a commission at just four years old. He served several years before taking a year off to study in Switzerland. His ties to Hanover strengthened in 1761 when his sister married King George III of Great Britain, who was also the Elector of Hanover. Carl traveled to Portugal in 1762  to help reorganize the Portuguese Army. Upon his return in 1763, Carl was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in the Hanoverian Army, and in 1776, he was appointed Governor-General of Hanover by his brother-in-law.

Friederike of Hesse-Darmstadt, Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; Credit – Wikipedia

On September 18, 1768, in Darmstadt, Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt, now in the German state of Hesse, Carl married Princess Friederike of Hesse-Darmstadt, the daughter of Georg Wilhelm of Hesse-Darmstadt and Maria Luise Albertine of Leiningen-Falkenburg-Dagsburg. Carl and Friederike had ten children:

Charlotte of Hesse-Darmstadt; Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; Credit – Wikipedia

Friederike died due to childbirth complications shortly after giving birth to their tenth child in May 1782. Two years later, Carl married Friederike’s younger sister Charlotte on September 28, 1784, in Darmstadt. Charlotte also died due to childbirth complications shortly after giving birth to their only child:

  • Karl (1785-1837) – unmarried

In 1785, Carl retired from military service, and stepped down as Governor-General of Hanover, receiving a generous pension and a promotion to the rank of Field Marshal. He took his family to Darmstadt to be near his wives’ family, and spent several years traveling to visit his family both in Neustrelitz, Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, now in the German state of  Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Great Britain. In 1794, he was appointed President of the Imperial Credit Commission, tasked with avoiding the pending bankruptcy in the Duchy of Saxe-Hildburghausen. This role would be short-lived, as his brother died in June 1794, and Carl returned to Neustrelitz to take up his role as the new Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

As Duke, Carl established a police force, promoted agriculture, reduced the number of districts within the duchy, and introduced compulsory education. The peaceful duchy was thrown into turmoil when Napoleon’s forces occupied the duchy in 1806. While many other German rulers were forced into exile, Carl’s position as the brother of the British Queen, and father of the Prussian Queen allowed him to remain in Strelitz during the occupation. He was later forced to join Napoleon’s Confederation of the Rhine and fight with the French forces. However, Carl later began to rally the people of Mecklenburg-Strelitz to fight against the French Emperor and helped to bring about his defeat. In recognition of Carl’s efforts, the Duchy received several territorial gains at the Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815. In June 1815, thanks primarily to the efforts of Carl’s son and heir, Mecklenburg-Strelitz was raised to a Grand Duchy with Carl becoming the first Grand Duke.

The Johanniterkirche in Mirow. photo: by Thomas Kohler – originally posted to Flickr as Kirche Mirow, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12084832

At the same time he became Grand Duke, Carl handed over most of his powers to his son, while remaining head of state. The following summer, he traveled to visit and spend time with his family throughout the German monarchies, where he developed an inflammation of the lungs. Despite appearing to recover, he fell ill again that autumn and died in Neustrelitz, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, now in the German state of  Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on November 6, 1816. His funeral was held eight days later in Mirow, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, now in the German state of  Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where he was buried in the New Crypt of the Johanniterkirche (link in German).

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Mecklenburg-Strelitz Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp, Queen of Sweden and Norway

by Susan Flantzer © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Hedwig Elizabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp, Queen of Sweden and Norway; Credit – Wikipedia

Known for her invaluable diary, which described the Swedish royal court from 1775-1817, Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp was born on March 22, 1759, in Eutin, Duchy of Oldenburg, now in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. Her parents were Friedrich August I, Duke of Oldenburg and Princess Ulrike Friederike Wilhelmine of Hesse-Kassel. She was a niece of King Adolf Fredrik of Sweden, the father of her future husband, and like her husband, a first cousin of Empress Catherine II of Russia (the Great).

Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte had two older siblings. Due to mental illness, her brother was Duke of Oldenburg and then Grand Duke beginning in 1815, in name only. His cousin Peter, Prince-Bishop of Lübeck, was regent throughout his entire reign and succeeded him.

Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte’s siblings:

Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte first met her cousin, Prince Carl of Sweden, second son of King Adolf Fredrik of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia, and brother of King Gustav III of Sweden, when he visited Eutin in 1770. In 1766, King Gustav III married Princess Sophia Magdalena of Denmark. In 1772, the marriage still had not been consummated, and Gustav wanted to give the task of providing an heir to his brother. Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte’s name was mentioned as a possible bride for Carl. The marriage was arranged in 1772, but the wedding was delayed because of the bride’s young age.

Carl of Sweden; Credit – Wikipedia

The couple was married by proxy in Wismar, a German city in the possession of Sweden, on June 22, 1774, with Baron Carl Otto von Höpken standing in for the groom. Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte traveled to Sweden and arrived on July 1, 1774. On July 7, 1774, she made her entry into Stockholm on the Vasaorden, a kungaslup, Swedish for a ceremonial rowboat, built for King Gustav III in 1744. It was destroyed by fire in 1921, and an exact replica was built in 1923, which was used at the wedding celebrations of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling in 2010.

Ceremonial entry of Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte into Stockholm by Pehr Hilleström; Credit – Wikipedia

The Vasaorden at the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria in 2010; Credit – Wikipedia by Av Atlantic Chef – Eget arbete

After her ceremonial arrival in Stockholm, Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte was formally presented to Queen Sophia Magdalena, Dowager Queen Louisa Ulrika, members of the Council, their wives, and ambassadors. The second wedding took place the same evening at the Royal Chapel in the Royal Palace of Stockholm, followed by a masked ball in the Royal Garden.

Wedding dress of Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte; Credit – Wikipedia

In July 1775, there were signs that Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte was pregnant. It was hoped that the succession problem would be solved, and prayers were held in the churches. In mid-September, preparations were made for the royal birth expected in October. However, on October 24, 1775, it was determined that there was no pregnancy. The news of the false pregnancy led King Gustav III to finally consummate his marriage and provide an heir to the throne himself, the future King Gustav IV Adolf, born in 1778.

Their marriage was distant, and both Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte and Carl had extramarital affairs. From 1783, Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte had a long-term relationship with Count Carl Piper, referred to as her lover in her diary. Among her other alleged lovers was Count Axel von Fersen, the favorite of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France. Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte eventually had two children – one stillborn and one who lived only six days. Rumors of Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte’s alleged affairs were noted during her pregnancy in 1797.

  • Lovisa Hedvig (July 2, 1797), stillborn
  • Carl Adolf, Duke of Värmland (July 4, 1798 – July 10, 1798), died in early infancy

On March 16, 1792, King Gustav III was shot by Jacob Johan Anckarström during a masked ball at the Royal Opera House in Stockholm. Thirteen days later, on March 29, 1792, King Gustav III died of his wounds at the Royal Palace of Stockholm at the age of 46. His 13-year-old son succeeded him as King Gustav IV Adolf. Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte’s husband Prince Carl, the young king’s uncle, served as regent until 1796.  Carl was unwilling or incapable of managing state affairs and entrusted the powers of government to his confidant Count Gustaf Adolf Reuterholm.

In 1805, King Gustav IV Adolf joined the Third Coalition against Napoleon. His campaign went poorly, and the French occupied Swedish Pomerania. In 1807, Russia made peace with France. A year later, Russia invaded Finland, then ruled by Sweden, attempting to force Gustav Adolf to join Napoleon’s Continental System. Within a few months, almost all of Finland was lost to Russia. In 1809, Sweden surrendered the eastern third of Sweden to Russia, and the autonomous Grand Principality of Finland within the Russian Empire was established.

Provoked by the disaster in Finland, a group of noblemen started a coup d’état that deposed King Gustav IV Adolf. On March 13, 1809, a group of conspirators broke into the royal apartments at Gripsholm Castle and imprisoned Gustav Adolf and his family. Gustav IV Adolf abdicated on March 29, 1809, thinking if he did so, his son would become king. However, on May 10, 1809, the Riksdag proclaimed that all members of Gustav Adolf’s family had forfeited their rights to the throne. After accepting a new liberal constitution, Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte’s husband Prince Carl was proclaimed King Carl XIII of Sweden on June 6, 1809. In December 1809, King Gustav IV Adolf and his family were sent into exile.

Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte in 1814; Credit – Wikipedia

After the coup, Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte stated, “I do not wish to be a Queen!” She had a deep affection for Frederica of Baden, the wife of Gustav IV Adolf, and found it embarrassing to be taking her place. She told her husband that she would become his adviser and confidante, but that she would keep away from the matters of the state. During Carl’s reign, Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte visited him in his bedroom every morning to talk to him. She was crowned with Carl on June 29, 1809.

Carl was 60 years old when he became king. He was childless and not in good health, and it was necessary to find a successor. All King Gustav IV Adolf’s descendants had been declared ineligible to succeed to the Swedish throne, but there was a movement, the Gustavian Party, which supported the deposed king’s son, the former Crown Prince Gustav, to be acknowledged as heir to the throne. Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte supported this movement. However, 41-year-old, unmarried, childless Prince Carl August of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg was chosen as Crown Prince of Sweden.

In November 1809, King Carl XIII had a stroke and was unable to participate in the government. Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte informally took his place on the Council. The Gustavian Party asked her to accept the post of regent, exclude the newly appointed Crown Prince, and adopt the former Crown Prince Gustav as heir. She declined the offer to be regent, and the coup never took place. On May 28, 1810, Carl August, Crown Prince of Sweden died from a stroke. There were rumors that the Gustavian Party had poisoned him.

The Swedes had the idea to offer the position of Crown Prince to one of Napoleon’s Marshals. Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, appointed Marshal of France in 1804, was well-liked in Sweden, particularly because of his considerate treatment of Swedish prisoners during the recent war with Denmark. In addition, he was related to Napoleon through his wife Désirée Clary, whose sister Julie Clary was married to Napoleon’s brother, Joseph Bonaparte. Désirée had previously been engaged to Napoleon. Bernadotte already had a son, Oscar, born in 1799, who could continue the succession. On August 21, 1810, the Swedish Riksdag of the Estates elected Bernadotte as Crown Prince. He arrived in Stockholm in November 1810 and was formally adopted by King Carl XIII, taking the name Carl Johan, and converted from Roman Catholicism to Lutheranism. He would become King Carl XIV Johan, the first monarch of the House of Bernadotte, which still reigns in Sweden.

Bernadotte made a good impression on Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte. He asked her for advice and discussed matters of state with her. In 1811, she was asked by the council to convince King Carl XIII to appoint Bernadotte regent and convince Bernadotte to accept the post, which she did.

In 1814, after the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark was forced to cede Norway to Sweden. Unlike Norway’s union with Denmark, this was a personal union under a single sovereign, and Norway remained an independent state with its own constitution.  Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte’s husband then also reigned as King Karl II of Norway.

Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte’s most lasting legacy was her diary. It was written in the form of unsent letters to her friend Countess Sophie von Fersen, sister of Count Axel von Fersen. The letters describe the Swedish royal court from 1775 to 1817 and are an important source for historical research. Besides dealing with gossip and social events of the court, Hedwig Elizabeth Charlotte also wrote about the French Revolution, the assassination of Gustav III, the Napoleonic Wars, and the deposing of Gustav IV Adolf.

King Carl XIII died on February 5, 1818, at the Royal Palace of Stockholm at the age of 69 and was buried at Riddarholmen Church in Stockholm. Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte’s health had begun to worsen in 1815. After her husband’s death, she said she would not be able to survive without him. On June 20, 1818, after a private dinner with the new King Carl XIV Johan, she went to her room to write, fainted, and died at the age of 59. She was buried at Riddarholmen Church in Stockholm.

Tomb of Hedwig Elisabeth Charlotte; Credit – www.findagrave.com

Works Cited

  • En.wikipedia.org. (2017). Hedvig Elisabeth Charlotte of Holstein-Gottorp. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedvig_Elisabeth_Charlotte_of_Holstein-Gottorp [Accessed 25 Sep. 2017].
  • Sv.wikipedia.org. (2017). Hedvig Elisabet Charlotta av Holstein-Gottorp. [online] Available at: https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedvig_Elisabet_Charlotta_av_Holstein-Gottorp [Accessed 25 Sep. 2017].
  •  Unofficial Royalty. (2017). King Carl III of Sweden. [online] Available at: https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/king-karl-xiii-of-sweden/ [Accessed 25 Sep. 2017].