Category Archives: German Royals

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

Friedrich Franz III, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Grand Duke Friedrich Franz III (Friedrich Franz Paul Nikolaus Ernst Heinrich) was born on March 19, 1851, at Ludwigslust Palace, in Ludwigslust, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Friedrich Franz was the eldest son of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II and his first wife, Princess Augusta of Reuss-Köstritz. He had ten siblings from his father’s three marriages:

A rather sickly child, Friedrich Franz suffered from severe bronchial asthma and a weak heart that would plague him his entire life. Following several years of private education at home, he attended the Vitzhumsche High School in Dresden. He later studied law at the University of Bonn. Despite his health, Friedrich Franz also undertook a military career. He was first created an officer in Mecklenburg’s Grenadier Guards by his father in 1863, followed by an appointment in the Prussian army. At the onset of the Franco-Prussian War, he served in the headquarters of King Wilhelm I of Prussia and later represented Mecklenburg-Schwerin at the Imperial Proclamation in Versailles in 1871. Due to his health, he was forced to step down from his military role in the beginning of 1877.

Friedrich Franz and his fiancé, Anastasia Mikhailovna, 1878; Credit – Wikipedia

On May 4, 1878, it was announced that Friedrich Franz was engaged to Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia, the daughter of Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich of Russia and Princess Cecilie of Baden. Friedrich Franz and Anastasia were second cousins, both great-grandchildren of King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia. They married at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg on January 24, 1879, in both Orthodox and Protestant services. The couple settled at the Marienpalais in Schwerin (link in German), and had three children:

Friedrich Franz III’s wife and children, c1895;  Credit – Wikipedia

Friedrich Franz became Grand Duke upon his father’s death on April 15, 1883. At the time, he and his family were living in the south of France, taking advantage of the milder climate. Unable to return to Schwerin for his father’s funeral, he entrusted his ministers with the management of the Grand Duchy. He eventually returned and took up residence at Schwerin Palace, but the climate was not good for his health. An agreement was reached, by which he would reside in Schwerin for five months of the year, and was free to live elsewhere the rest of the year provided that any further children would be born in Schwerin. Friedrich Franz III and his family spent the summers at their home in Gelbensande, a hunting lodge built in 1886 near Rostock and the Baltic Sea. They then moved on to Cannes from November until May, living at Villa Wenden which he had built there. They also spent time in Palermo and in Baden-Baden.

Villa Wenden in Cannes, France; Credit – Wikipedia

With his health rapidly deteriorating in the Spring of 1897, the Grand Duke’s family gathered at Villa Wenden, anticipating the worst. On the evening of April 10, 1897, he was found unconscious at the bottom of the villa’s 25-foot retaining wall. He was taken inside but soon died. Officially, the cause of death was an accident. Likely gasping for air, he had gone out onto the balcony and fell accidentally. However, rumors quickly spread that he had died by suicide.

The Helena Pavlovna Mausoleum following the burial of Friedrich Franz III; Credit – Wikipedia

His remains were brought back to Mecklenburg where he lay in state in the church at Schwerin Castle. Following his wishes, his funeral was held at the church in Ludwigslust, with the funeral procession led by the German Empress, Viktoria Auguste. Following the service, he was buried in the Helena Pavlovna Mausoleum on the grounds of Ludwigslust Palace in Ludwigslust, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.

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Mecklenburg-Schwerin Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Marie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Marie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Credit – Wikipedia

Princess Marie Karoline Auguste of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt was the third wife of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. She was born in Raben Steinfeld, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany on January 29, 1850. She was the daughter of Prince Adolf of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Princess Mathilde of Schönburg-Waldenburg.

Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Credit – Wikipedia

On July 4, 1868, in Rudolstadt, Marie married the widowed Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin as his third wife. She was just 18 years old while the Grand Duke was 45. They had four children together:

Grand Duchess Marie; Credit – Wikipedia

Grand Duchess Marie died suddenly on April 22, 1922, at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. She was in The Netherlands for the 46th birthday celebrations of her youngest son. Her body was returned to Schwerin and she was buried in the Schwerin Cathedral.

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Mecklenburg-Schwerin Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Anna of Hesse and by Rhine, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Anna of Hesse and by Rhine, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Credit -Wikipedia

Princess Anna of Hesse and by Rhine was the second wife of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. She was born Princess Maria Anna Wilhelmine Elisabeth Mathilde on May 25, 1843, in Bessungen, Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine, now in the German state of Hesse. She was the only daughter of Prince Karl of Hesse and by Rhine and Princess Elisabeth of Prussia.

Anna had three brothers:

Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Credit – Wikipedia

Anna was considered a possible wife for the future King Edward VII of the United Kingdom. However, she married Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on July 4, 1864, in Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine, now in the German state of Hesse. His first wife died two years earlier and Anna became stepmother to his four children.

Anna and Friedrich Franz had one daughter:

  • Duchess Anna of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1865-1882) – unmarried, died in her teens

On April 16, 1865, just a week after giving birth to her daughter, 21-year-old Grand Duchess Anna died of puerperal fever (childbed fever) in Schwerin, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. She is buried in the Schwerin Cathedral.

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Mecklenburg-Schwerin Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Augusta Reuss of Köstritz, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Augusta Reuss of Köstritz, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin; Credit – Wikipedia

Princess Auguste Mathilde Wilhelmine Reuss of Köstritz was the first wife of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. She was born in Klipphausen, Kingdom of Saxony, now in Saxony, Germany, on May 26, 1822, the daughter of Heinrich LXIII, Prince Reuss of Köstritz and his first wife, Countess Eleonore of Stolberg-Wernigerode, who died giving birth to her last child.  Auguste’s father married her mother’s sister Countess Caroline of Stolberg-Wernigerode.

(Note: All males of the House of Reuss were named Heinrich plus a number. In the Older Line, the numbering covered all male children and the numbers increased until 100 was reached and then started again at 1. In the Younger Line, the system was similar but the numbers increased until the end of the century before starting again at 1. This tradition was seen as a way of honoring Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich VI (reigned 1191 – 1197) who had benefitted the family. Therefore, the Roman numerals seen after names are NOT regnal numbers.)

Auguste had five siblings:

  • Joanna (1820-1878) – married Prince Ferdinand of Schoenaich-Carolath
  • Heinrich IV, Prince Reuss of Köstritz (1821-1894) – married Princess Luise Reuss of Greiz, had issue
  • Heinrich VI (born and died1823) – died in infancy
  • Heinrich VII (1825-1906) – married Princess Marie Alexandrine of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, had issue
  • Heinrich X (1827- 1847) – unmarried

Auguste had six half-siblings from her father’s second marriage Countess Caroline of Stolberg-Wernigerode:

  • Heinrich XII (1829-1866) – married Anna, Countess of Hochberg, Baroness to Fürstenstein, no issue
  • Heinrich XIII (1830-1897) – Anna, Countess of Hochberg, Baroness to Fürstenstein, no issue
  • Louise (1832-1862) – unmarried
  • Heinrich XV (1834-1869) – married Countess Luitgarde of Stolberg-Wernigerode,
  • Anna (1837-1907) – married Prince Otto of Stolberg-Wernigerode, had issue
  • Heinrich XVII (1839-1870) – unmarried

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

In Ludwigslust, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, on November 3, 1849, Auguste married Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II, and the couple had six children:

Memorial to Grand Duchess Auguste, Schwerin Castle. photo: By Ruchhöft-Plau – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6596407

Sadly, three years after giving birth to her youngest child, Grand Duchess Auguste, aged 39, died on March 3, 1862, in Schwerin, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. The cause of Auguste’s death is unclear. At that time, there were mentions of “heart disease associated with a bronchial ailment” and “fever.” It is quite possible that she died from tuberculosis which was widespread at the time. Auguste is buried in the Schwerin Cathedral, and a memorial was built in her honor on the grounds of Schwerin Castle in 1905.

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Mecklenburg-Schwerin Resources at Unofficial Royalty

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

Friedrich Franz II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Friedrich Franz II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was born at Ludwigslust Palace in Ludwigslust, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, on February 28, 1823. He was the eldest son of Paul Friedrich, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Princess Alexandrine of Prussia, and had five siblings:

  • Luise (1824-1859) – married Hugo, Prince of Windisch-Grätz, had issue
  • Wilhelm (1827-1879) – married Princess Alexandrine of Prussia, had issue
  • Helene (1829-1835) – died in childhood
  • Marie (1831-1836) – died in childhood
  • Pauline (1833-1894) – unmarried

Friedrich Franz was educated privately at home before attending the Blochmann Institute in Dresden and then the University of Bonn. A career in the military followed, which saw him serve during the Second Schleswig War, the Austro-Prussian War, and the Franco-Prussian War. He became Grand Duke upon his father’s death in 1842.

Princess Auguste of Reuss-Köstritz; Credit – Wikipedia

Friedrich Franz II married three times. His first wife was Princess Auguste of Reuss-Köstritz, the daughter of Heinrich LXIII, Prince Reuss of Köstritz and Countess Eleonore of Stolberg-Wernigerode. They married in Ludwigslust on November 3, 1849, and had six children:

Princess Anna of Hesse and by Rhine; Credit – Wikipedia

Two years after Auguste’s death, Friedrich Franz married Princess Anna of Hesse and by Rhine, the daughter of Prince Karl of Hesse and by Rhine and Princess Elisabeth of Prussia. They married in Darmstadt on July 4, 1864, and had one daughter:

  • Duchess Anne (1865-1882) – unmarried, died in her teens

Princess Marie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt; Credit – Wikipedia

Anna died just a week after giving birth to her daughter. Three years later, Friedrich Franz married for the third time. His bride was Princess Marie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, the daughter of Prince Adolf of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Princess Mathilde of Schönburg-Waldenburg. They married on July 4, 1868, and had four children:

During his reign, which lasted over 41 years, Friedrich Franz II oversaw numerous reforms in the Grand Duchy, including the improvement of the national hospital system, reform of the judicial system, and the state church. Against the interests of his own relatives in neighboring Mecklenburg-Strelitz, he issued a liberal constitution in 1849. While the constitution was repealed the following year, his efforts made him immensely popular amongst his people.

Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II died in Schwerin, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany on April 15, 1883, and is buried in the Schwerin Cathedral.

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Mecklenburg-Schwerin Resources at Unofficial Royalty

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 her 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, as well as living at 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

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 that their mother had inherited from her own 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

She became the Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin upon her husband’s accession in 1785. The Duchess 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 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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Credit – Wikipedia

 

Friedrich Franz I, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

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

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 all of 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 of the other German rulers.

Initially remaining neutral during the Napoleonic wars, Mecklenburg-Schwerin was occupied by French forces in December 1806, and the Duke was forced to flee. The following year, through the intervention of the Russian 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 were focused on strengthening the education system in the Grand Duchy, as well as pushing for legal reforms and the abolishment of serfdom.

The tomb of Grand Duke Friedrich Franz I. source: Doberan Minster

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 had personally commissioned in 1831 – was not completed until six years after his death. In December 1843, the Grand Duke’s remains were moved to the large granite tomb just 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

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:

Georg of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

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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