Duke Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Grand Duchess Catherine Mikhailovna of Russia surrounded by her children: Helene, Georg Alexander and Karl Michael.

Georg Alexander Michael Friedrich Wilhelm Franz Carl of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was born on 6 June  [O.S. 25 May] 1859 at Remplin,[1] a family estate acquired by his parents in Mecklenburg shortly before his birth.[2] His father, Duke Georg August of Mecklenburg (1824–1876), was the second son of Grand Duke Georg of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. His mother, Grand Duchess Catherine Mikhailovna of Russia, was a granddaughter of Emperor Paul I of Russia. Although Duke Georg Alexander was, by birth, a German prince of the house of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, his father had settled in Russia within his wife’s family.[3] Georg and his siblings were raised in Russia, but kept the Lutheran religion of his paternal ancestors. He was known in Russia as George Georgievich jr, to distinguish him from his father who had the same name and patronymic.[4]

He received a military education and followed a career in the Russian service. Raised in the Mikhailovsky Palace, the household of his maternal grandmother Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, he took a great interest in music from an early age under her grandmother's guidance.[5] From age 12 his teacher was Karl Davydov, a composer, professor of the St Petersburg Conservatory and Russia’s most prominent cellist of the time.[4] Georg-Alexander passion for music made him consider for a time to follow a career as a professional cellist.[4] He was a good pianist, an excellent cello player and was fond of writing musical compositions. From 1879 to 1881 he studied fine arts and philosophy at the Universities of Leipzig and Strasbourg.

Duke Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in military uniform.

Georg Alexander fell in love with his mother’s lady in waiting Natalia Feodorovna Vanljarskya (16 May 1858 - 14 March 1921), the daughter of Fedor Vanliarsky, a Russian State Councillor, who served in the Ministry of Finance. She was a member of the Russian nobility who came from Germany in 17th century whose name was originally von Lahr.[6] Vanljarskya was a skillful singer and the couple was brought together by their shared passion for music.[7] Grand Duchess Catherine Mikahilovna opposed their union and fired Natalia, hoping that his son would forget the affair and would marry a bride of royal background. However Georg Alexander persisted and in June 1889 he went to Germany to obtain the permission to marry from the head of the family, his uncle, Grand Duke Frederick William (1819-1904). With his uncle’s consent, George Georgievich married Natalia Vanliarskya on 14 February 1890 in St. Petersburg.[1] As Natalia was not of member of reigning royal family their union was treated as morganatic and she received from the Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz the title of Countess von Carlow (the name Carlow came from the estate Karlivka in Poltava province, that belonged to Georg-Alexander) that would pass to their children.[6] Their marriage was a happy one and Natalia eventually became loved by her husband’s family.[7]

The couple initially lived in a western wing of the Mikhailovski palace, where fifteen rooms were given to them.[7] After the death of Grand Duchess Catherine Mikhailovna in 1894, the Mikhailovski palace and the bulk of her inheritance passed to Duke Georg Alexander's younger brother Karl Michael and their sister Helene. The palace was bought by Emperor Nicholas II in 1895 to house the collection of the Russian Museum, named in honor of Emperor Alexander III. Georg Alexander moved with his family to his own residence located at No 46 Fontanka embankment. The house was designed with his own personal plans and immediately became a center for musicians and artist. During the first years of their marriage, Vanljarskya did not take part in court life and only years later she began to accompany her husband at court balls and receptions in the Winter Palace.

The couple's four children received the title of Counts of Carlow after the mother:

• Countess Catherine von Carlow (25 July 1891 - 9 October 1940, victim of a German air aid on London) having married Prince Vladimir Gurevich Golitsyn (1884-1954) in 1913 .
• Countess Maria von Carlow (31 October 1893 - 5 September 1979), who married Prince Boris Dmitrievich Golitsyn (1892-1919) in 1916, became a widow in 1919, and married Count Vladimir Petrovich Kleinmichel (1901-1982).
• Countess Natalia von Carlow ( 20 November 1894 - 4 December 1913).
• George, Duke of Mecklenburg (5 Oct 1899 - 6 Jul 1963).

Duke Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg-Strelitz with his wife and their children: Catherine, Maria, Natalia and George

Georg Alexander was head of the committee for the fiftieth anniversary of the career of Anton Rubinstein celebrated in 1889. After Rubinstein’s death in 1894, his family gave his conducting baton to Duke Georg Alexander.[4] In 1896, Georg Alexander organized a string quartet, which bore the name "Mecklenburg Quartet" (after 1917, it became part of the Petrograd Philharmonic). Performances were a great success not only in the Russian capital, but also abroad. It was the first Russian quartet to go on a European tour, receiving favorable reviews at their London performance in 1907.[4]

Duke Georg Alexander was also an art collector. From his grandfather, Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, he inherited a rich collection of French lithographs, paintings, Meissen porcelain and luxury editions of books. He constantly added new works to his collections and participated in exhibitions. Georg Alexander was well respected not only in the music world. Despite his high rank, he was an approachable man devoid of any snobbery.

Parallel to his passion for music he continued with his military career. In 1902 he was appointed Major General, Commander of the Life Guard Dragoon Regiment and from 1906 commander of the 1st Brigade of the 1st Guards Cavalry Division. In 1907 he was made chief of the troops at the disposal of the Guard in Saint Petersburg Military District. He was engaged on military reforms on behalf of the minister of war. He was author and translator of military theory and historical works.

Duke Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg-Strelitz died suddenly on 5 December 1909, aged fifty.[1] He was buried in the palace of Oranienbaum, the summer residence in the Gulf of Finland of his family.[1] Over his grave was erected a black marble cross with a plate that bore the inscription: "Here lies a deeply revered husband and father and a great citizen of Oranienbaum." After the revolution, the grave was destroyed and the inscription disappeared. His daughter Natalia, who died young, was also buried in Oranienbaum. The Duke's widow and their three other children survived the Russian revolution and emigrated to western Europe. Natalia died in Cannes France in 1921. The couple's youngest child and only son, George Alexander, was adopted by his uncle Karl-Michael, and then took the title of Duke of Mecklenburg, Count of Carlow.[7] After the other lines of the house of Mecklenburg died out his descendants became their sole heirs. Georg Alexander's great-grandson, Duke Borwin, is the current head of the House of Mecklenburg.[7]

• Beéche, Arturo. The Grand Duchesses. Eurohistory, 2004. ISBN 0-9771961-1-9
• Katin-Yartsev, M and Shumkov, A. Costume Ball at the Winter Palace. Russky Antiquariat, 2003, ISBN 5981290021
• Korneva, Galina & Cheboksarova, Tatiana. Russia & Europe: Dynastic Ties . Eurohistory, 2013. ISBN 978-0-9854603-2-7