Karin Elisabeth von Schaper


Karin Elisabeth, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was a member by marriage of the House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. She was the widow of Friedrich Franz, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Early life

Karin Elisabeth von Schaper was born at Breslau, Province of Lower Silesia, Weimar Republic on 31 January 1920. She was the only daughter of Dr. Walter von Schaper and Baroness Elisabeth Louise Vally Sophie Therese von Münchhausen, later married to Baron Joseph :de:Blankart |von Blankart.

Ancestry

Through her father Walter, she is direct descendant of Baroness Maria Regina Johanna von :File:Hackelberg_und_Landau_-_Tyroff_AT.jpg|Hackelberg und Landau, illegitimate daughter of Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine and his mistress Regina :File:COA_Bartholotti_v_Partenfeld_Tyr_AT.png|Bartholotti von Partenfeld. Through him, she can also claim direct ancestry from many great families, such as Schwarzenberg, Starhemberg, Windisch-Graetz, Wied, Kinsky, Clary und Aldringen, :File:Wien_Palais_Trauttmansdorff_Wappen.jpg|Trauttmansdorff-Weinsberg, Fugger, Lamberg, Pálffy, Hanau-Lichtenberg, Harrach...
Through her mother's side of the family, she is related to the Baron Hieronymus Karl Friedrich von Münchhausen, famous soldier, adventurer and story teller.

Marriage and family

On 11 June 1941 in Schwerin Karin Elisabeth married, Friedrich Franz, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, eldest son of Frederick Francis IV the last reigning Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. They divorced on 22 September 1967 but remarried a decade later in Glücksburg on 27 April 1977. They had no children.
As a member by marriage of the House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, her nieces Donata and Edwina are the only remaining senior members of the House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. On the death of her husband in 2001, the Mecklenburg-Schwerin male line became extinct.
She died on 26 January 2012 at Glucksburg at the age of 91.

Titles and styles