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

Jack Brooksbank, husband of Princess Eugenie

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie of York; Photo Credit – https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily

Born on May 3, 1986, at St. Thomas Hospital in London, Lambeth, England, Jack Christopher Stamp Brooksbank is the elder of the two sons of George Brooksbank, an accountant and company director, and the former Nicola Newton. He has a younger brother Thomas born in 1988. Jack attended Stowe School, an exclusive independent school in Stowe, Buckinghamshire, England.

Jack skipped university and started working in the hospitality trade. He first worked in pubs including the Admiral Codrington in Chelsea, London then got a job at the trendy restaurant, the Markham Inn, also in the Chelsea area of London, which has since closed. Then Jack worked as the manager of the nightclub Mahiki in Mayfair, London, frequented by the younger royals. Currently, he is the brand ambassador of Casamigos Tequila, which was co-founded by George Clooney, Rande Gerber, and Mike Meldman. In 2017, Jack set up a wholesale company for the sale of wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages called Jack Brooksbank Limited.

Jack and Princess Eugenie in 2010

On January 22, 2018, Buckingham Palace announced the engagement of Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank.  Princess Eugenie is a granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and the younger of the two daughters of Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York. Jack and Eugenie were introduced by mutual friends in 2010 during a skiing holiday in Verbier, Switzerland. The couple dated for seven years before becoming engaged.

Jack and his future mother-in-law Sarah, Duchess of York at the 2017 Royal Ascot

Jack and Eugenie are third cousins twice removed via their mutual descent from Thomas Coke, 2nd Earl of Leicester. Eugenie’s mother Sarah, Duchess of York is the great-great-granddaughter of Lady Julia Coke, the daughter of Thomas Coke, 2nd Earl of Leicester who is Jack’s great-great-grandfather.  For more information about Jack Brooksbank’s ancestors see Marlene Koenig’s 2016 article at Royal Musings: Perhaps an engagement…

 

Jack and Eugenie were married on October 12, 2018, at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Jack and Eugenie with their first child August; Credit – https://www.facebook.com/TheBritishMonarchy

August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, the first child of Jack and Princess Eugenie was born by cesarean section on February 9, 2021, at Portland Hospital in London, England. He is the first grandchild of Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York, and the ninth great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh.

  • August: The name August comes from August’s maternal great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1819-1861), Queen Victoria’s husband, whose full name in German was Franz Albrecht August Karl Emanuel.
  • Philip: The name Philip comes from August’s great-grandfather Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born 1921).
  • Hawke: The name Hawke comes from August’s paternal great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Reverend Edward Hawke Brooksbank (1789-1883). He graduated from Cambridge University with a Master of Arts and held the office of Justice of the Peace for the West Riding, Yorkshire, England.

On May 30, 2023, Princess Eugenie gave birth to her second son, Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank at Portland Hospital in London, England.

  • Ernest: The name Ernest was a middle name of King George V.
  • George: The name George is a tribute to Jack Brooksbank’s father George Brooksbank, who died in 2021 after being ill for some time.

  • Ronnie: The name Ronnie is in honor of the father of Sarah, Duchess of York, Major Ronald Ferguson, who died in 2003.

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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:

The New Crypt at the Johanniterkirche. photo: Von Peter Schmelzle – Eigenes Werk (Eigenes Foto), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4816015

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