Georg Alexander, Duke of Mecklenburg

Georg Alexander
Duke of Mecklenburg
Head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Period 6 July 1963 – 26 January 1996
Predecessor Duke George
Successor Duke Borwin
Born (1921-08-21)21 August 1921
Nice, France
Died 26 January 1996(1996-01-26) (aged 74)
Mirow, Germany
Spouse Archduchess Ilona of Austria
Issue Duchess Elisabeth Christine
Duchess Marie Catherine
Duchess Irene
Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg
Full name
Georg Alexander Andreas Karl Michael Peter Philipp Ignaz Maria
House House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Father George, Duke of Mecklenburg
Mother Irina Mikhailovna Raievskya

Georg Alexander, Duke of Mecklenburg (German: Georg Alexander Herzog zu Mecklenburg; 27 August 1921 – 26 January 1996) was the head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz from 1963 until his death.[1]

Early life

Georg Alexander was born in Nice, France the eldest son of the then Count George of Carlow and his first wife Irina Mikhailovna Raievskya (1892–1955). His father assumed the title Duke of Mecklenburg with the style Serene Highness following his adoption by the head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and his uncle Duke Charles Michael. The adoption of the title was confirmed by the head of the Imperial House of Russia, Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovich on 18 July 1929 and recognised on 23 December by Grand Duke Friedrich Franz IV of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.[2]

With the death of Duke Charles Michael on 6 December 1934 his father succeeded as head of the Grand Ducal house of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and thus Georg Alexander became heir apparent. The grand ducal family lived at Remplin Castle in Mecklenburg until it was destroyed in a fire in April 1940. During the Second World War both Georg Alexander and his father were interned by the Gestapo for a time.

Post World War II

Duke Georg Alexander studied law in Freiburg before completing his studies in banking. On 18 December 1950 his fathers title was confirmed by the House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and he then assumed the style of Highness,[2] while his status as head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was also confirmed.[3] At the same time the Count of Carlow title was abolished. Georg Alexander lived for a time in Ireland where he managed a number of properties. On returning to Germany he spent twenty years working for an advertising company.[4]

On 6 July 1963 he succeeded his father as head of the Grand Ducal house of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.[1] In 1990 he moved to Mecklenburg and was given an apartment in the former grand ducal residence of Mirow Castle by the local government and he was involved in its reconstruction.[5] Georg Alexander died in Mirow and was succeeded as head of the Grand Ducal house by his son Duke Borwin.

Marriage and children

Duke Georg Alexander was married in Sigmaringen to Archduchess Ilona of Austria (20 April 1927 - 12 January 2011) civilly on 20 February 1946 followed by a religious ceremony on 30 April. Archduchess Ilona belongs to the Hungarian Palatine branch of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and is a granddaughter of Archduke Joseph August of Austria. Georg Alexander and Ilona had four children before divorcing on 12 December 1974.[6]

Name Birth Notes
Duchess Elisabeth Christine 22 March 1947 Married Alhard, Baron von dem Bussche-Ippenburg (b. 30 June 1947) civilly on 15 November 1974 in Lüdenscheid and religiously on 3 May 1975 at Hohenzollern Castle. Had three daughters before divorcing on 15 December 1997.
Duchess Marie Catherine 14 November 1949 Married Wolfgang von Wasielewski (b. 15 December 1951) civilly on 17 March 1978 at Bonn and religiously on 15 July at Biengen. Has two children.
Duchess Irene 18 April 1952 Married Constantin Harmsen (b. 28 April 1954) civilly on 22 September 1979 at Mexico City and religiously at Biengen on 26 July 1980. Has two sons.
Duke Borwin 10 June 1956 Married Alice Wagner (b. 2 August 1959) in Hinterzarten civilly on 24 December 1985 and religiously on 19 July 1986. Has three children and is the current head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Titles, styles and honours

Styles of
Georg Alexander, Duke of Mecklenburg
Reference style His Highness
Spoken style Your Highness
Alternative style Sir

Titles and styles

Honours

Ancestry

References

  1. 1 2 Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Beiträge zur Geschichte einer Region. p. 191. ...Die Nachfolge als Oberhaupt des Strelitzer Hauses trat Georgs ältester Sohn, Herzog Georg Alexander...
  2. 1 2 L'Allemagne Dynastique, Tome VI : Bade-Mecklembourg. p. 235.
  3. ↑ Le Petit Gotha. p. 198. ISBN 2-9507974-3-1.
  4. ↑ Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Beiträge zur Geschichte einer Region. p. 191. ...Herzog Georg Alexander verwaltete viele Jahre ein Gut in Irland und war danach 20 Jahre für eine Werbemittelfirma in Deutschland tätig....
  5. ↑ Baale, Olaf (23 July 1993). "Polieren am einstigen Glanz" (in German). Die Zeit. Retrieved 9 August 2008.
  6. ↑ L'Allemagne Dynastique, Tome VI : Bade-Mecklembourg. p. 241.

External links

Georg Alexander, Duke of Mecklenburg
Cadet branch of the House of Mecklenburg
Born: 27 August 1921 Died: 26 January 1996
Titles in pretence
Preceded by
George		 — TITULAR —
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
6 July 1963 – 26 January 1996
Reason for succession failure:
Grand Duchy abolished in 1918		 Succeeded by
Borwin
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