Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg

Charles was born in Strelitz, the second son and youngest child of Adolphus Frederick II, reigning Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. His mother, Princess Christiane Emilie of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, was the third wife of his father. Charles had one half-brother and one surviving half-sister, the children of his father's first marriage. He also had one full sister at the time of his birth, but she died as an infant when Charles was less than one year old.

Charles's father died when he was only three months old. His half-brother succeeded their father as Adolphus Frederick III, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, whereas Charles, as the younger son, inherited the commandries of Mirow and Nemerow.[1] It was to the estate of Mirow that Charles's mother retired upon the death of her husband, and it was here that Charles was raised.[2] He later attended the University of Greifswald in Pomerania.[1]

In keeping with the custom of the times, Charles set out on a Grand tour of Europe in 1726, aged 18. He played the transverse flute well, and made it one of the aims of the tour to improve his knowledge and skill in music.[3] After visiting Geneva, Italy and France he went to Vienna and briefly entered the service of the Holy Roman Emperor as a Lieutenant Colonel before returning to Mirow.[2]

After leaving the Army, Charles lived with his family in the castle of Mirow, spending most of his time managing his estates and attending to the education of his children.[1] He lived at Mirow until his death there at the age of 44.

When his older half-brother, Adolphus Frederick III, died in December 1752 without a male heir, Charles Louis Frederick's son Adolf Friedrich was made the next Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, reinging as Adolf Friedrich IV.

Charles was married on 5 February 1735 in Eisfeld to Princess Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen, daughter of Ernest Frederick I, Duke of Saxe-Hildburghausen. She was regent to her son in 1752 and played a major part in the struggle for the throne at that time.

They had ten children, six of whom survived into adulthood:

Issue

Name Portrait Lifespan Notes Duchess Christiane 6 December 1735 – 31 August 1794 Died unmarried Duchess Caroline 22 December 1736 – 22 December 1736 Died in infancy Adolphus Frederick IV Duke of Mecklenburg 5 May 1738 – 2 June 1794 Died unmarried Duchess Elisabeth Christine 13 April 1739 – 9 April 1741 Died in infancy Duchess Sophie Louise 16 May 1740 – 31 January 1742 Died in infancy Charles II Grand Duke of Mecklenburg 10 October 1741 – 6 November 1816 Married first Princess Friederike of Hesse-Darmstadt and had issue; married second Princess Charlotte of Hesse-Darmstadt and had issue Duke Ernst Gottlob Albert 27 August 1742 – 27 January 1814 Died unmarried Sophie Charlotte Queen of the United Kingdom 19 May 1744 – 17 November 1818 Married George III of the United Kingdom and had issue; Duke Gotthelf 29 October 1745 – 31 October 1745 Died in infancy Duke George Augustus 16 August 1748 – 14 November 1785 Died unmarried

Through his daughter Charlotte, Charles Louis Frederick is the ancestor of every British monarch beginning with George IV, who ascended the throne of the United Kingdom in 1820.

• Schloss Mirow