Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1871.djvu/190



(Grossherzogthum Mecklenburg-Schwerin.)

Reigning Sovereign and Family.

Grand-duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, born February 28, 1823, the son of Grand-duke Paul Friedrich and Princess Alexandrine of Prussia. Studied philosophy and theology at the University of Bonn, 1840-42; succeeded to the throne at the death of his father, March 7, 1842. Married, November 3, 1849, to Princess Augusta of Reuss-Schleiz, who died March 3, 1862. Married, in second nuptials, May 12, 1864, to Princess Anna, daughter of the late Grand-duke Ludwig II. of Hesse-Darmstadt, who died April 15, 1865. Married, in third nuptials, July 4, 1868, to Princess Marie, born January 29, 1850, cousin of the reigning Prince Albert of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt. Issue of the first marriage are:—1. Prince Friedrich Franz, heir-apparent, born March 19, 1851. 2. Prince Paul Friedrich, born September 19, 1852. 3. Princess Marie, born May 14, 1854. 4. Prince Johann, born December 8, 1857. Issue of the second marriage is a daughter, Anna, born April 7, 1865; and issue of third marriage a daughter, Mathilda, born August 10, 1869.

Brother of the Grand-duke.—Prince Wilhelm, born March 5, 1827; colonel in the service of Prussia; married, Dec. 9, 1865, to Alexandrina, born Feb. 1, 1842, daughter of Prince Albert of Prussia. Issue a daughter, Charlotte, born November 7, 1868.

Mother of the Grand-duke.—Grand-duchess Alexandrine, born February 23, 1803, daughter of the late King Friedrich Wilhelm III. of Prussia; married, May 25, 1822, to Grand-duke Paul Friedrich; widow, March 7, 1842.

The Grand-ducal house of Mecklenburg is the only reigning family in Europe of Slavonic origin, and claims to be the oldest sovereign house in the Western world. In their full title, the Grand-dukes style themselves Princes of the Vandals; and they trace their descent to Genseric, King of the Vandals, who conquered Spain in the fifth century, and, going over to Africa, took Carthage in 439.

The Grand-duke has no civil list, or any other allowance from the country. His income consists of a large part of the revenues of the State domains, and is estimated at above 120,000 £ per annum. The Grand-duke is also sole proprietor of a line of railway, 55 miles long, from Güstrow to Neu-Brandenburg, which in great part runs through his own property. The crown estates, valued at 80,000,000 thaler, or nearly 12,000,000 ₤, are looked upon, in all respects, as the private property of the Grand-duke.