Frederick William, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz


Frederick William 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. 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, his personal property.
He died at Neustrelitz on 30 May 1904 and was succeeded by his only son, who became 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.

Titles, styles and honours

Titles and styles

;German honours
;Foreign honours