Princess Alexandra of Hanover (born 1882)

Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Cumberland (German: Alexandra Louise Marie Olga Elisabeth Therese Vera Prinzessin von Hannover und Cumberland; 29 September 1882 – 30 August 1963) was the wife of Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the last ruling Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

For other people called Princess Alexandra of Hanover, see Princess Alexandra of Hanover.
Alexandra of Hanover
Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Tenure7 June 1904 – 14 November 1918
Born(1882-09-29)29 September 1882
Schloss Ort, Gmunden, Upper Austria, Austria-Hungary
Died30 August 1963(1963-08-30) (aged 80)
Glücksburg Castle, Glücksburg, Schleswig-Holstein, West Germany
Spouse
IssueFriedrich Franz, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Duke Christian Ludwig
Duchess Olga
Duchess Thyra
Anastasia, Princess Frederick Ferdinand of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg
Full name
Alexandra Louise Marie Olga Elisabeth Therese Vera
German: Alexandra Luise Marie Olga Elisabeth Therese Vera
HouseHanover
FatherErnest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover
MotherPrincess Thyra of Denmark

Family

Alexandra was the second eldest daughter and third child of Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover (1845–1923) and Princess Thyra of Denmark (1853–1933), the youngest daughter of Christian IX of Denmark (1818–1906) and Louise of Hesse-Kassel (1817–1898). Alexandra was a great-great-granddaughter of George III of the United Kingdom (1738–1820) and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744–1818).

Marriage and issue

Alexandra married on 7 June 1904 in Gmunden, Austria-Hungary to Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1882–1945), son of Frederick Francis III, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and his wife Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia. The bridegroom gave Alexandra a diamond and aquamarine tiara by Faberge.[1]

Alexandra and Frederick Francis had five children:

  • Friedrich Franz, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (22 April 1910 – 31 July 2001). Married Karin Elisabeth von Schaper, daughter of Walter von Schaper and his wife Baroness Louise von Münchhausen. The couple had no issue.
  • Duke Christian Louis of Mecklenburg (29 September 1912– 18 July 1996). Married Princess Barbara of Prussia, daughter of Prince Sigismund of Prussia and Princess Charlotte of Saxe-Altenburg. The couple had issue.
  • Duchess Olga of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1916–1917).
  • Duchess Thyra of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (18 June 1919 – 27 September 1981).
  • Duchess Anastasia of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (11 November 1923 – 25 January 1979). Married Prince Friedrich Ferdinand of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, son of Prince Albrecht of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg and Countess Ortrud of Ysenburg and Büdingen. The couple had issue.

In 1913, a fire broke out at Schwerin Castle while the Grand Duke, Grand Duchess, and guests were dining there.[2] Everyone was able to make it out safely, although the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess had to apparently rush through flying sparks when making their escape. There were a reported $750,000 in damages, in which countless works of art, as well as important rooms were utterly destroyed. Certain reports blamed the fire on a vengeful servant, although an official court announcement stated it was merely an electrical issue.[2]

Honours

Ancestry

References
  1. "Christie's to auction historic Faberge tiara". Reuters UK.
  2. Transatlantic, Marconi (16 December 1913), "Schwerin Treasures Burn", The New York Times, Berlin
  3. Grossherzoglich Mecklenburg-Schwerinscher Staatskalendar, 1908, p. 3
Princess Alexandra of Hanover (born 1882)
Cadet branch of the House of Welf
Born: 29 September 1882 Died: 30 August 1963
German royalty
Vacant
Title last held by
Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia		 Grand Duchess consort of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
7 June 1904 – 14 November 1918		 Monarchy abolished
Titles in pretence
Loss of title
Monarchy abolished
 — TITULAR —
Grand Duchess consort of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
14 November 1918 – 17 November 1945
Reason for succession failure:
Grand Duchy abolished in 1918		 Succeeded by
Karin Elisabeth von Schaper
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