Frederick William, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz explained

Frederick William
Full Name:German: Friedrich Wilhelm Karl Georg Ernst Adolf Gustav
Succession:Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Predecessor:George
Successor:Adolf Frederick V
Reign:6 September 1860 – 30 May 1904
House:Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Issue:Duke Frederick William
Adolphus Frederick V, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Father:George, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Mother:Princess Marie of Hesse-Kassel
Birth Date:17 October 1819
Birth Place:Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, German Confederation
Death Place:Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Germany
Burial Date:6 June 1904
Burial Place:Mirow, Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Frederick William (17 October 1819  - 30 May 1904) was a German sovereign who ruled over the state of Mecklenburg-Strelitz as grand duke from 1860 until his death.

Biography

He was born in Neustrelitz, the son of Grand Duke Georg of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and Princess Marie of Hesse-Kassel. He spent his youth in Neustrelitz and later went to study history and jurisprudence in University of Bonn where he befriended Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.[1] After finishing his studies, he went travelling to Italy and Switzerland. He became a Doctor of Civil Law of the University of Oxford.

Friedrich Wilhelm succeeded as grand duke on the death of his father on 6 September 1860. During his reign, Mecklenburg-Strelitz became a member first of the North German Confederation and then the German Empire. Friedrich Wilhelm was a large land owner with more than half of the entire grand duchy as his personal property.[2]

He died at Neustrelitz on 30 May 1904 and was succeeded by his only surviving son, Adolf Friedrich V.

Marriage and children

Friedrich Wilhelm was married on 28 June 1843 at Buckingham Palace to his first cousin, Princess Augusta of Cambridge, a member of the British royal family and a granddaughter of King George III. The two were also second cousins on their fathers' side. They had two sons:

Friedrich Wilhelm and his wife Augusta celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary by distributing 25 Pfennig from the public treasury to every citizen of the grand duchy.[3]

Titles, styles and honours

Titles and styles

Honours

German honours[6]
Foreign honours[6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Gill, Gillian . We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals . Ballatine Books . New York . 2009 . 978-0-345-52001-2 .
  2. News: Wealthiest Grand Duke dead. New York Times. 1904-05-31. 2007-10-23 .
  3. News: Six Cents to Every Subject.. New York Times. 1903-07-05. 2007-11-08 .
  4. Web site: The London Gazette, Issue 20239, Page 2242. 4 July 1843.
  5. Web site: The London Gazette, Issue 26947, Page 1696. 14 March 1898.
  6. Grossherzoglich Mecklenburg-Schwerinscher Staatskalendar, 1902, p. 6