Photograph of Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Overview

Charles II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (German: Karl II. von Mecklenburg-Strelitz) (October 10, 1741 - November 6, 1816) was first duke, then grand duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Early life

Born in Mirow, he was the son of Prince Charles I Ludwig Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen. At first he served as a Lieutenant General in the Hanoverian army. He later became governor of Hanover under his brother-in-law George III.

After his uncle Adolf Friedrich III died without any male descendants in 1752, Karl's older brother Adolf Friedrich IV became Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. After he died childless in 1794, Karl II inherited the post.

Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Karl II encouraged new agricultural trends, established a new police force, and implemented compulsory education. In 1806, his duchy joined the Confederation of the Rhine. At the Congress of Vienna in 1815 his title was elevated, making him a grand duke.

Karl died on November 6, 1816 in Neustrelitz and was succeeded by his son Georg.

Marriage and children

Karl married twice: first, to Friederike Caroline Luise of Hesse-Darmstadt, daughter of Prince Georg Wilhelm of Hesse-Darmstadt. They had ten children together. Two of them become German queen consorts. Louise would marry Frederick William III of Prussia and Frederica would marry Ernest Augustus I of Hanover. After she died in 1782, he married her sister Charlotte in 1784. She died in the following year, whilst giving birth to their son, Duke Karl Friedrich August.

*Duchess Charlotte (1769-1818) married Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg *Duchess Karoline Auguste (1771-1773) *Duke Georg Karl (1772-1773) *Duchess Therese (1773-1839) married Karl Alexander, Prince of Thurn and Taxis *Duke Friedrich Georg (1774-1774) *Duchess Louise (1776-1810) *Duchess Frederica (1778-1841) *Duke Georg (1779-1860) *Duke Friedrich Karl (1781-1783) *Duchess Auguste Albertine (1782-1782) *Duke Karl Friedrich August (1785-1837)

References

*
Who is Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz connected to?
Add a Connection
How is Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz connected to Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz? Tell the world.

This biography says:

Karl married twice: first, to Friederike Caroline Luise of Hesse-Darmstadt, daughter of Prince Georg Wilhelm of Hesse-Darmstadt. They had ten children together. Two of them become German queen consorts. Louise would marry Frederick William III of Prussia and Frederica would marry Ernest Augustus I of Hanover. After she died in 1782, he married her sister Charlotte in 1784...

This biography says:

...At first he served as a Lieutenant General in the Hanoverian army. He later became governor of Hanover under his brother-in-law George III....
How is Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz connected to Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg? Tell the world.

This biography says:

...Two of them become German queen consorts. Louise would marry Frederick William III of Prussia and Frederica would marry Ernest Augustus I of Hanover. After she died in 1782, he married her sister Charlotte in 1784. She died in the following year, whilst giving birth to their son, Duke Karl Friedrich August...
How is Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz connected to Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz? Tell the world.
How is Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz connected to Duke Georg Borwin of Mecklenburg? Tell the world.
How is Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz connected to Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich of Russia? Tell the world.
How is Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz connected to Princess Frederica of Hanover? Tell the world.