Category Archives: Former Monarchies

Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

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Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Friedrich Wilhelm was born on February 16, 1679, in Ichtershausen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, the son of the future Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and his first wife Maria Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt. He had six siblings:

He also had five half-siblings from his father’s second marriage to Elisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel:

Following the death of his brother Ernst Ludwig I in 1724, Friedrich Wilhelm served as one of the guardians for his two young nephews Ernst Ludwig II and Karl Friedrich during their reigns as Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. Following Karl Friedrich’s death in 1743, Friedrich Wilhelm became the reigning Duke of Saxe-Meiningen.

After reigning for just three years, Friedrich Wilhelm died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on March 10, 1746. He is buried in the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace. in Meiningen. As he was unmarried and had no heirs, the ducal throne passed to his younger half-brother Anton Ulrich.

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Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Karl Friedrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

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Karl Friedrich, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Karl Friedrich reigned as Duke of Saxe-Meiningen from 1729-1743. He was born in Meiningen, Duchy of  Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on July 18, 1712, the youngest child of Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and his first wife, Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. He had four older siblings:

Karl Friedrich’s father died in November 1724, making his elder brother, Ernst Ludwig II, the reigning Duke. As both brothers were underage, their two uncles, Friedrich Wilhelm and Anton Ulrich, oversaw the running of the duchy. Ernst Ludwig II died in 1729, and Karl Friedrich became the reigning Duke. Despite his uncles’ guardianship ending in 1733 when Karl Friedrich reached his majority, he continued to leave the daily running of the duchy to his uncles and his court officials. In poor health, he was unable and had to be carried and driven everywhere, and had little interest in anything which required responsibility.

Never married, Karl Friedrich died in Meiningen, Duchy of  Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on March 28, 1743, at the age of 31. He is buried in the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace in Meiningen.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

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Ernst Ludwig II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

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Ernst Ludwig II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Ernst Ludwig II was Duke of Saxe-Meiningen from 1724-1729. He was born in Coburg on August 8, 1709, to Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and his first wife, Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. He had four siblings:

Ernst Ludwig was the third son, but his elder brothers died before their father, making him heir to the Ducal throne. He became Duke upon his father’s death in November 1724. Just fifteen years old, his brief reign was overseen by his two uncles, Friedrich Wilhelm and Anton Ulrich.

Nineteen-year-old Ernst Ludwig II died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on February 24, 1729, and never reached his majority. He was succeeded by his younger brother Karl Friedrich. Ernst Ludwig is buried in the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace in Meiningen.

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Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg was the second wife of Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. She was born in Cölln Electorate of Brandenburg, now part of Berlin, Brandenburg, Germany, on April 5, 1674, to Friedrich Wilhelm, Elector of Brandenburg and Princess Dorothea Sophie of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, and had six siblings:

Elisabeth Sophie also had six older half-siblings from her father’s first marriage to Princess Luise Henriette of Nassau:

Friedrich Casimir Kettler, Duke of Courland; Credit – Wikipedia

On April 29, 1691, Elisabeth Sophie married her first cousin, Friedrich Casimir Kettler, Duke of Courland, as his second wife. He was the son of Jacob Kettler, Duke of Courland and Luise Charlotte of Brandenburg. They had two sons:

After being widowed in 1698, Elisabeth Sophie became Co-Regent of Courland with her brother-in-law. She left Courland in 1701 for her brother’s court in Berlin, losing custody of her son and her position as Co-Regent.

Christian Ernst, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth; Credit – Wikipedia

On March 30, 1703, in Potsdam, Elisabeth Sophie married Christian Ernst, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, as his third wife. He was the son of Erdmann August, Hereditary Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth and Sophie of Brandenburg-Ansbach. They had no children. From all accounts, she completely dominated her husband, particularly by imposing her pro-Prussian political views on him. A lavish spender, Elisabeth Sophie’s expenses greatly impacted the finances of the Margraviate during their nine-year marriage. She was widowed again in May 1712.

Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Elisabeth Sophie’s third husband was the widowed Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, whom she married at Schloss Ehrenburg in Coburg, Duchy of Saxe-Coburg, Saalfeld, now in Bavaria, Germany, on June 3, 1714. They had no children. After ten years of marriage, Elisabeth Sophie was once again widowed in 1724. She survived her husband by twenty-four years and died at Schloss Glücksburg (link in German), in Römhild, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on November 22, 1748. She is buried in the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace. in Meinigen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany.

Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

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Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg was the first wife of Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. She was born in Gotha, Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, now in Thuringia, Germany, on January 22, 1674, to Friedrich I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg and Magdalena Sibylla of Saxe-Weissenfels. She had seven siblings:

Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

On September 19, 1704, at Schloss Friedenstein in Gotha, Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, now in Thuringia, Germany, Dorothea Maria married Ernst Ludwig. The two first cousins – both were grandchildren of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha – had become engaged four months earlier. Over the next eight years, they had five children:

The marriage was happy, and both shared the same interest in music and the arts. Dorothea Maria devoted much of her time to charitable works, particularly supporting the orphanage in Meiningen. Because of a condition referred to as ‘facial fluxes’ – probably a nervous condition – she spent much of her time living in the countryside. At Dreiẞigacker, her husband planned to build a palace and name it Dorotheenburg in her honor, but she did not live long enough to see this happen.

Dorothea Maria died, aged 39, in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on April 18, 1713. She is buried in the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace. in Meiningen.

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Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

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Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Ernst Ludwig I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen was born at Friedenstein Palace in Gotha, Duchy of Saxe-Gotha, now in Thuringia, Germany,  on October 7, 1672. The eldest child of Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and his first wife, Marie Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt, Ernst Ludwig had six younger siblings:

  • Bernhard (1673-1694) – unmarried
  • Johann Ernst (1674-1675) – died in infancy
  • Marie Elisabeth (born and died 1676) – died in infancy
  • Johann Georg (1677-1678) – died in infancy
  • Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1679-1746) – unmarried
  • Georg Ernst (1680-1699) – unmarried

Ernst Ludwig also had five half-siblings from his father’s second marriage to Elisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel:

An artistically gifted child, Ernst Ludwig studied at the Rudolph-Antoniana Knight Academy in Wolfenbüttel. He began a military career in 1689, leading several regiments against France, and serving with troops led by Ludwig Wilhelm, Margrave of Baden-Baden, helping to conquer the city of Landau. He was later raised to the rank of Imperial Field Marshal Lieutenant.

Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg; Credit: Wikipedia

On September 19, 1704, in Gotha, Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg, now in Thuringia, Germany, Ernst Ludwig married his first cousin, Dorothea Maria of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. She was the daughter of Friedrich I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg and Magdalena Sibylla of Saxe-Weissenfels. Together they had five children before Dorothea Maria died in April 1713:

Ernst Ludwig succeeded his father, Bernhard I, as Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. Unlike his own father who had divided his territories among his sons, Bernhard stipulated in his will that the duchy should remain united. However, he also wanted his sons to rule jointly, which none of them wanted to do. Ernst Ludwig, as the eldest son, felt that the throne should go solely to him and his heirs, which caused a rift between him and his brothers. Eventually, he reached an agreement with them which gave him sole reign. His two remaining brothers later ruled after his death, in the guardianship of Ernst Ludwig’s sons.

Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg; Credit – Wikipedia

On June 3, 1714, just over a year after the death of his first wife, Ernst Ludwig married Elisabeth Sophie of Brandenburg, at Schloss Ehrenburg in Coburg, Duchy of Saxe-Coburg, now in the German state of Bavaria. She was the daughter of Friedrich Wilhelm, Elector of Brandenburg and Princess Dorothea Sophie of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg. They had no children.

During his reign, Ernst Ludwig was involved in several military conflicts, in an attempt to gain more territory after his uncles, the Dukes of Saxe-Coburg, Saxe-Römhild, and Saxe-Eisenberg, died without heirs. The disputes eventually went to Imperial arbitration, with Ernst Ludwig receiving very little gain in his lands. These conflicts and the rift between Ernst Ludwig and his brothers, caused a decline in the economy in Saxe-Meiningen, already in bad shape since his father’s reign. Ernst Ludwig’s attempts at political reform were ineffective. He ended up focusing on the arts, composing numerous hymns, and expanding his collection of musical compositions. Several years before his death, he wrote the lyrics for the hymns at his funeral, with the music composed by Johann Ludwig Bach.

Ernst Ludwig I died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in the German state of Thuringia, on November 24, 1724. He is buried in the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace in Meiningen.

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Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Elisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2018

Elisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Elisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was the second wife of Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen. She was born in Wolfenbüttel, Duchy of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, now in Lower Saxony, Germany, on September 30, 1658, to Anton Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and Juliane of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Norburg. She had 12 siblings:

On February 2, 1675, in Wolfenbüttel, Elisabeth Eleonore married Johann Georg, Duke of Mecklenburg-Mirow, the son of Adolf Friedrich I, Duke of Mecklenburg and Anna Maria of Ostfriesland. However, the marriage was short-lived as Johann Georg died just five months later, on July 9, 1675.

Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

On January 25, 1681, in Schöningen, Duchy of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, now in Lower Saxony, Germany, Elisabeth Eleonore married Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, who had been widowed the previous year. Elisabeth Eleonore and Bernhard had five children:

The family lived at the castle in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in the German state of Thuringia, while a new, much grander palace was being built. The Elisabethenburg Palace in Meiningen was completed in 1692 and named for Elisabeth Eleonore who lived there with her husband, and their children for the duration of Bernhard’s reign.

Following her husband’s death in 1706, Elisabeth Eleonore was drawn into the family battles over who would reign over the duchy. Like his father before him, Bernhard was not a proponent of primogeniture and stated in his will that his sons should rule jointly. Just as Bernhard had been against that idea when his own father died, so were his sons. Elisabeth Eleonore sided with her stepson Ernst Ludwig, who believed he was the rightful heir and should reign solely. In doing so, she sided against her own son Anton Ulrich. He had married morganatically, and Elisabeth Eleonore never accepted her daughter-in-law, or her son’s decision to marry. Ernst Ludwig won his quest to rule independently, and with Elisabeth Eleonore’s support, he developed Meiningen into a center of musical culture.

The in-fighting within the family took its toll on Elisabeth Eleonore and she retired from public life. The Dowager Duchess died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen now in Thuringia, Germany on March 15, 1729, at the age of 70. She is buried in the castle church at Elisabethenburg Palace in Meiningen.

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Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Maria Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Maria Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Maria Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt was the first wife of Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, and therefore the first Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen. She was born in Giessen on November 26, 1647, the youngest child of Georg II, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and Princess Sophie Eleonore of Saxony. Marie Hedwig had 13 siblings:

Bernhard of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Marie Hedwig married Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen at Schloss Friedenstein in Gotha, Duchy of Saxe-Gotha, now in the German state of Thuringia, on November 20, 1671. The couple had seven children:

Coat of Arms of the Principality of Henneberg. photo: By Kooij – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3665880

Several years after their marriage, the couple took up residence in Ichtershausen, at a castle Bernhard had built and named Marienburg in honor of his wife. When Bernhard and his brothers formally divided their territories, he became Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and made plans to move the family to the city of Meiningen. The new duchy also included the former principality of Henneberg, which caused stress to Marie Hedwig. The principalities coat of arms featured a black hen, which was seen at the time as a symbol of magic and witchcraft. Marie Hedwig said she would not move to the “land of the black hen”.

On April 19, 168, nine weeks before the planned move, Marie Hedwig died in Ichtershausen, Duchy of Anhalt, now in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. She had given birth to her youngest child just a few weeks earlier. Marie Hedwig was first buried in the crypt of the city church in Meiningen, Duchy of Anhalt, now in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, before being moved to the castle church at Elisabethenburg Palace in Meiningen.

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Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen: On March 26, 1675, Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg died. Initially, his seven sons collectively governed the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, as set out in their father’s will. On February 24, 1680, the seven brothers concluded a treaty of separation, with each brother getting a portion of the Duchy of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg and becoming a Duke. One of the seven new duchies was the Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen and Bernhard, one of the seven sons of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg became the first Duke of Saxe-Meinigen.

On November 9, 1918, Wilhelm II abdicated as German Emperor and King of Prussia in the wake of the November Revolution. Bernhard III, the last Duke of Saxe-Meiningen abdicated the next day due to pressure from the Meininger Workers and Soldiers Council. His half-brother Ernst waived his succession rights on November 12, 1918, officially ending the monarchy of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Today the territory that encompassed the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen is in the German state of Thuringia.

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Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; Credit – Wikipedia

Bernhard I was the first Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, reigning from 1675 until his death in 1706. He was born in Gotha, Duchy of Saxe-Gotha, now in Thuringia, Germany, on September 10, 1649, the sixth son of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg. Bernhard had 17 siblings:

Maria Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt; Credit – Wikipedia

On November 20, 1671, at Schloss Friedenstein in Gotha, Duchy of Saxe-Gotha, now in Thuringia, Germany, Bernhard married Marie Hedwig of Hesse-Darmstadt. She was the daughter of Georg II, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and Sophie Eleonore of Saxony. They had seven children:

Several years after their marriage, Bernhard and Marie Hedwig took up residence in Ichtershausen, Duchy of Saxe-Meinigen, now in the German state of Thuringia, where Bernhard had a castle built. Schloss Marienburg was named in Marie Hedwig’s honor. Just three weeks after giving birth to their youngest child, and only nine weeks before their planned move to Meiningen, Marie Hedwig died in Ichtershausen on April 19, 1680.

Elisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel; Credit – Wikipedia

On January 25, 1681, Bernhard married for a second time in Schöningen, Duchy of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, now in the German state of Lower Saxony. His new bride was Elisabeth Eleonore of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, the daughter of Anton Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and Juliane of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Norburg. The couple had five children:

When Bernhard’s father died in 1675, instead of passing everything to his eldest son, he instead chose to divide his territory amongst his living sons. Each received part of the duchy and was expected to rule jointly – but under the authority – of the eldest one. Bernhard received Meiningen and the surrounding area, including the former principality of Henneberg. By 1680, the brothers had formally divided their lands, each becoming the ruler of the newly established duchies. Bernhard became the first reigning Duke of Saxe-Meiningen.

Elisabethenburg Palace; Credit – Wikipedia

Having moved to Meiningen and taking up residence at the Meiningen Castle, Bernhard soon made plans to build a new official residence in the city. The Elisabethenburg Palace was built between 1682-1692 and was named for his second wife. In addition to the new palace, Bernhard also established a court orchestra in 1690, and the Schlosspark in 1692.

Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace; Credit – Wikipedia

Bernhard I, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen died in Meiningen, Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, now in Thuringia, Germany, on April 27, 1706. He is buried in the Castle Church at Elisabethenburg Palace in Meiningen.

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Saxe-Meiningen Resources at Unofficial Royalty

Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia; Credit – Wikipedia

The last Grand Duchess of Russia and the youngest of the six children of Alexander III, Emperor of All Russia and Dagmar of Denmark (Empress Maria Feodorovna), Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia was born at Peterhof Palace on June 13, 1882.

Olga’s mother was the daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark and among Olga’s maternal first cousins were King Constantine I of Greece, King George V of the United Kingdom, King Christian X of Denmark, and King Haakon VII of Norway.

Olga had five older siblings:

Seated (L to R): Alexander III with Olga, George; standing (L to R): Michael, Maria Feodorovna, Nicholas, and Xenia; Credit – Wikipedia

In 1881, the year before Olga was born, her paternal grandfather Alexander II, Emperor of All Russia was assassinated when a bomb was thrown at his carriage as he rode through St. Petersburg, and Olga’s father became Emperor. Concerned about the security of his family, Alexander III moved his family from the Anichkov Palace in St. Petersburg to Gatchina Palace located 28 miles (45 km) south of St. Petersburg. Gatchina Palace became the family’s prime residence.

Olga as a young girl, Credit – Wikipedia

Like her other siblings, Olga was raised in a relatively simple manner considering her status. She slept in a cot, woke up at 6:00 AM, took cold baths, ate simple, plain meals, and her rooms were furnished with simple furniture. The Imperial children had a large extended family and often visited the families of their British, Danish, and Greek cousins.

Emperor Alexander III and Empress Maria Feodorovna believed that their children should spend their spare time in a useful manner and so they learned cooking, woodworking, and how to make puppets for their puppet theater. Alexander III believed that his children should learn about the outdoors, and so they were taught to ride and they gardened and kept animals that they had to look after themselves. Olga’s brother Michael, who was four years older, was her childhood companion and the two would always remain close. They were educated together and played together.

Michael and Olga; Photo Credit – Wikipedia

In 1894, Olga’s father Alexander III unexpectedly died at the age of 49 and her brother Nicholas became Emperor. After her father’s death, Olga’s mother moved back to Anichkov Palace in St. Petersburg with Michael and Olga. Olga’s debut into society was delayed due to the death of her brother George in 1899. After her debut, Olga was escorted to society events by Duke Peter Alexandrovich of Oldenburg.

Olga with her first husband Duke Peter Alexandrovich of Oldenburg; Credit – Wikipedia

Duke Peter Alexandrovich of Oldenburg, a second cousin, was fourteen years older than Olga. He was the only child of Duke Alexander Petrovich of Oldenburg and Eugénie Maximilianovna of Leuchtenberg. Peter’s mother was a granddaughter of Nicholas I, Emperor of All Russia through Nicholas I’s daughter, Grand Duchess Maria Nikolayevna, and his father was a great-grandson of Paul I, Emperor of All Russia through his paternal grandmother Grand Duchess Catherine Pavlovna.

It seems that Olga’s mother and Peter’s mother, who were good friends, had arranged a marriage between their two children so that Olga would not have to marry a foreign prince and could always be on call for her mother. Olga told her official biographer, Ian Vorres, “I was just tricked into it.” Olga was brought into a room where Peter stammered through a proposal. Their engagement, announced in May 1901, was unexpected by family and friends, as Peter had shown no prior interest in women and it was assumed he was homosexual. The wedding quickly followed on August 9, 1901. Olga told Vorres, “I shared his roof for fifteen years and never once were we husband and wife.” Obviously, there were no children. Olga and Peter lived in a 200-room mansion in St. Petersburg and their bedrooms were at opposite ends of the building. Peter was always kind and considerate towards her but Olga longed for love, a normal marriage, and children.

Olga and Peter;  Credit – Wikipedia

In April 1903, Olga attended a military review of the Blue Cuirassier Guards. Her brother Michael was one of the commanders. There she saw a tall, handsome man in the uniform of the Blue Cuirassier Guards, and their eyes met. Olga said to Vorres, “It was fate. It was also a shock. I suppose I learned on that day that love at first sight does exist.” Michael arranged for Nikolai Alexandrovich Kulikovsky and Olga to meet. A few days later Olga asked Peter for a divorce. He refused, saying that he would reconsider his decision after seven years.

Nikolai was promoted to captain of the Blue Cuirassier Guards and sent far away to the provinces. Olga and Nikolai regularly corresponded. In 1906, Olga’s husband Peter appointed Nikolai as one of his aides-de-camp. Nikolai was told that his quarters would be in the Oldenburg mansion in St. Petersburg. The living arrangements at the mansion were a well-kept secret and continued until the start of World War I when Olga went to be a nurse at the front and Nikolai went to war with his regiment. Peter did not keep his promise to reconsider a divorce after seven years.

Over the years, Olga had continued to ask her brother Nicholas II for permission to marry Nikolai. Nicholas II always refused because he believed that marriage was for life and that the royalty should only marry royalty. In 1912, when Olga’s brother Michael married a commoner without permission, Nicholas banished him from Russia. Fearing for Nikolai’s safety in the war, Olga pleaded with her brother Nicholas II to transfer him to the relative safety of Kyiv, where she was stationed at a hospital. In 1916, after visiting Olga in Kyiv, Nicholas had a change of heart and he officially annulled her marriage to Peter. On November 16, 1916, Olga and Nikolai were married at the Kievo-Vasilievskaya Church in Kiev. Olga’s mother Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna, her sister’s husband Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich (Sandro), two fellow nurses from the hospital in Kyiv, and four officers of Nikolai’s regiment attended.

Olga and Nikolai Kulikovsky on their wedding day; Credit – Wikipedia

Olga and Nikolai had two sons:

  • Tikhon Nikolaevich Kulikovsky (1917 – 1993), married (1) Agnet Petersen, no children, divorced (2) Libya Sebastian, had one daughter, divorced (3) Olga Nikolaevna Pupynina, no children
  • Guri Nikolaevich Kulikovsky (1919 – 1984), married Ruth Schwartz, had three children, divorced (2) Aze Gagarin, no children

Guri, Olga, Tikhon and, Nikolai, circa 1920; Photo Credit – Wikipedia

The February Revolution was the first of two revolutions that occurred in Russia in 1917. The February Revolution was caused by military defeats during World War I, economic issues, and scandals surrounding the monarchy. The immediate result was the abdication of Olga’s brother Nicholas II, the end of the Romanov dynasty, and the end of the Russian Empire. Later in 1917, the October Revolution occurred, paving the way for the establishment of the Soviet Union.

After Nicholas II abdicated, many members of the Romanov family, including Nicholas, his wife, and their children, were placed under house arrest. In search of safety, Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich (Sandro), and Grand Duchess Olga traveled to the Crimea where they were joined by Olga’s sister (Sandro’s wife) Grand Duchess Xenia. They lived at Sandro’s estate, Ai-Todor, where they were placed under house arrest by the local Bolshevik forces. On August 12, 1917, Olga’s first child Tikhon Nikolaevich was born during their house arrest.

The Romanovs under house arrest at Ai-Todor in the Crimea in 1918. Standing: Colonel Nikolai Kulikovsky (Grand Duchess Olga’s husband), Mr. Fogel, Olga Konstantinovna Vasiljeva, Prince Andrei (Xenia’s son). Seated: Mr. Orbeliani, Prince Nikita (Xenia’s son), Grand Duchess Olga (Xenia’s sister), Grand Duchess Xenia, Empress Maria Feodorovna (Xenia’s mother), Grand Duke Alexander (Xenia’s husband). On the floor: Prince Vasili (Xenia’s son), Prince Rostislav (Xenia’s son), and Prince Dmitri (Xenia’s son); Credit – Wikipedia

Other Romanovs also gathered at their palaces in Crimea. There they witnessed the October Revolution later that year, and then in 1918 came the news of the murder of Nicholas II and his family and their servants. Olga’s younger brother Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich had been murdered along with his secretary the month before Nicholas’ murder. Being in Crimea became precarious due to food shortages, visits to the home by the Bolshevik officials, and the threat of being murdered by the Bolsheviks. On April 11, 1919, Empress Maria Feodorovna, her daughter Xenia, Xenia’s five youngest sons along with Xenia’s daughter Irina and her husband Prince Felix Yusupov left Russia forever aboard the British battleship HMS Marlborough.

Olga and Nikolai refused to leave Russia. One of Empress Maria Feodorovna’s personal bodyguards, Timofei Ksenofontovich Yatchik took Olga, Nikolai, and their son Tikhon to his hometown Novominskaya where Olga gave birth to her second child Guri Nikolaevich in a rented farmhouse on April 23, 1919. As the White Army was pushed back and the Red Army approached, the family set out on their last journey through Russia. Yatchik, the former bodyguard, accompanied Olga and her family as they traveled to Rostov-on-Don and then to Novorossiysk where the Danish consul Thomas Schytte gave them refuge in his home. Finally, they arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark on April 2, 1920, and Olga was reunited with her mother. Yatchik, the former imperial bodyguard, guarded Empress Maria Feodorovna until she died in 1928, and then lived the rest of his life in Denmark.

Timofei Ksenofontovich Yatchik who assisted Olga and her family in leaving Russia; Credit – Wikipedia

Olga and her family lived with her mother in Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, Denmark where her first cousin King Christian X of Denmark was quite inhospitable. Eventually, they moved to Hvidøre, the country house Empress Maria Feodorovna and her sister Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom had purchased together in 1906. Nikolai and Marie Feodorovna did not get along. He was resentful of Olga acting as her mother’s secretary and companion and Marie Feodorovna was distant toward him.

After Maria Feodorovna’s death, Hvidøre was sold and with Olga’s portion of the proceeds, Olga and Nikolai were able to purchase Knudsminde Farm, outside of Copenhagen. The farm became a center for the Russian monarchist and anti-Bolshevik community in Denmark. Olga lived a simple life working in the fields, doing household chores, and painting. She painted throughout her life and her usual subject was scenery and landscape, but she also painted portraits and still life.

Flowers by Olga Alexandrovna; Credit – Wikipedia

After World War II, the Soviet Union notified the Danish government that Olga was accused of conspiracy against the Soviet government. Because she was fearful of an assassination or kidnap attempt, Olga decided to move her family across the Atlantic to the relative safety of rural Canada. On June 2, 1948, Olga, Nikolai, Tikhon, and his Danish-born wife Agnete, Guri, and his Danish-born wife Ruth along with their two children and Olga’s devoted companion and former maid Emilia Tenso (Mimka) started their voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The family lived in Toronto, Canada until they purchased a 200-acre farm in Halton County, Ontario, Canada near Campbellville. By 1952, Olga and Nikolai’s sons had moved away and the farm became a burden so they sold it and moved to a five-room house at 2130 Camilla Road, Cooksville, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of Toronto.

Nikolai died on August 11, 1958, aged 76. After her husband’s death, Olga became increasingly infirm. Unable to care for herself, Olga stayed in the Toronto apartment of Russian émigré friends, Konstantin and Sinaida Martemianoff. Olga’s sister Xenia died in April 1960. On November 21, 1960, Olga slipped into a coma and the last Grand Duchess of Russia died November 24, 1960, at the age of 78. Olga was buried next to her husband Nikolai at York Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Grave of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna and Nikolai Kulikovsky; Photo Credit – By Alex.ptv – Self-photographed, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38411347

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