Who is who? The House of Mecklenburg
The House of Mecklenburg
The House of Mecklenburg is a North German dynasty of Slavic origin which ruled until 1918 in the Mecklenburg region. This was one of the longest-ruling families of Europe.
History
The family was established by Pribislav, a Slavic prince who converted to Christianity and accepted the suzerainty of Saxon Duke Henri the Lion. The main branch of the house was elevated in 1347 to ducal rank. In the family there were several branches:
- Duchy of Mecklenburg;
- Lordship of Rostock;
- Principality of Schwerin;
- County of Schwerin;
- Principality of Ratzenburg;
- Lordship of Stargard;
- Principality of Wenden.
Titles and claims to the thrones
Sweden
The Dukes of Mecklenburg pursued from the 14th. century a claim to the Swedish throne. The Duke of Mecklenburg was a descendant and the heir of two women whom legends tied to Scandinavian royal houses:
* Christina, who was the wife of Henry Borwin II, Lord of Mecklenburg;
* Marianna, who was the wife of duke Barnim I of Pomerania and the sister of King Eric XI of Sweden.
Norway
The Kingdom of Norway (872-1397) was the only medieval Scandinavian realm whose kingship was hereditary not elective. The claim of the Dukes of Mecklenburg to the Norwegian throne was based on their descent from Euphemia of Sweden, granddaughter of Haakon V of Norway. The Dukes of Mecklenburg continued to regard themselves as the rightful heirs to the throne of Norway but they were unable to gain the Kingdom from the Oldenburgs.
Mecklenburg-Schwerin
During the Congress of Vienna, the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz became Grand Duchies. In 1918, less than a year before the elimination of the monarchy, the main line of Strelitz became extinct.
Mecklenburg-Strelitz
After more than five years of dispute over the succession to the House of Mecklenburg, the duchy was established in 1701.
Who is who?
Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, sister of Duke Adolphus Frederick IV, married King George III in 1761, thus becoming Queen Consort of Great Britain.
Her niece Princess Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, daughter of Duke Charles II married Frederick William III of Hohenzollern in 1793 and she became Queen Consort of Prussia in 1797.
Another niece, Louise's sister, Princess Frederica of Mecklenburg- Strelitz married in 1815 Prince Ernest august Duke of Cumberland, who became King of Hanover in 1837. She was thus Queen Consort of Hanover.
Anna Leopoldovna was Regent of Imperial Russia (1740-1741) for her son Ivan VI. She was born Elisabeth Katharina Christine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
Queen Juliana of The Netherlands was via her father Duke Henri of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, a member of this important family.
One of the Dukes George, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was via his mother a descendant of Emperor Paul I of Russia.
Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was the last Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and the regent of Mecklenburg- Schweritz. He inherited the throne when he was 15 years old in 1897. His mother was Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia. He married to Princess
Alexander of Hanover and Cumberland. They would have 5 children.
Alexander of Hanover and Cumberland. They would have 5 children.
His eldest son, Friederich Franz joined - against the wish of his father - the SS. By 1936 he had been promoted to Hauptsturmführer (Captain).
Source pictures: Wikipedia
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