Adolphus Frederick VI facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adolphus Frederick VI
Adolphus Frederick VI in 1916
Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Reign	11 June 1914 – 23 February 1918
Predecessor	Adolf Frederick V
Successor	Vacant: Charles Michael as head of house
Born	(1882-06-17)17 June 1882 Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Germany
Died	23 February 1918(1918-02-23) (aged 35) Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Germany
Full name Adolf Friedrich Georg Ernst Albert Eduard
House	Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Father	Adolphus Frederick V, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Mother	Princess Elisabeth of Anhalt
Religion	Lutheran

Adolphus Frederick VI (born 17 June 1882 – died 23 February 1918) was the last ruler of Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. He was known as a Grand Duke, which is a title similar to a king, but for a smaller territory.

Early Life and Education

Adolphus Frederick George Ernest Albert Edward was born in Neustrelitz. He was the third child and first son of Adolphus Frederick V, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and his wife, Princess Elisabeth of Anhalt.

He went to a special school called a gymnasium in Dresden. After that, he studied law in Munich. He also served in the Prussian army, which was the army of a powerful German state.

Adolphus Frederick became the next in line to rule the Grand Duchy. This happened after his grandfather, Grand Duke Frederick William, passed away on 30 May 1904. At this point, he received the title of Hereditary Grand Duke.

Adolphus Frederick had a younger brother named Karl Borwin. Sadly, Karl Borwin passed away in 1908. Adolphus Frederick was later rumored to be engaged to several princesses from Europe. One of them was Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia. She was the only daughter of the German Emperor William II.

He became the Grand Duke when his father died on 11 June 1914. This was just a few weeks before World War I began.

Succession Challenges

When Adolphus Frederick became Grand Duke, he was not married and had no sons. This created a problem for who would rule next. His cousin, Duke Charles Michael of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, was the next in line. However, before First World War started, Charles Michael said he did not want to rule.

If there was no male heir, the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz would join with the nearby Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. During the war, Adolphus Frederick talked about getting married with his friend, Daisy, Princess of Pless. It was hard to find a suitable princess during wartime.

Daisy found a possible bride, Princess Benigna Reuss of Köstritz. Adolphus Frederick liked the idea. His chief minister, Heinrich Bossart, started talks with Princess Benigna's family. However, the marriage never happened.

Death and Legacy

Adolphus Frederick died on 23 February 1918 in Neustrelitz. His death meant that Mecklenburg-Strelitz faced a big problem about who would rule next. The only other living male member of his family, Duke Charles Michael of Mecklenburg, was in Russia. He had served in the Russian military, which was fighting against Germany.

Charles Michael had said in 1914 that he wanted to give up his right to the throne. But Adolphus Frederick asked him to wait until it was necessary. There was also another relative, George, Count of Carlow, who could not inherit the throne in the usual way.

Because Charles Michael was in Russia, Grand Duke Friedrich Franz IV of Mecklenburg-Schwerin became the temporary ruler, or regent, for Mecklenburg-Strelitz. He stayed regent until the German monarchies ended in 1918. After that, the government in Strelitz declared that the regency was over.

Charles Michael later confirmed that he wanted to give up his rights to the throne. This message arrived in 1919, after the end of the monarchies. The Free State of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was then created.

Adolphus Frederick's grandfather had gathered a large fortune. It was worth about 30 million marks. In his will, Adolphus Frederick left all his money to Duke Christian Ludwig. He was the second son of Friedrich Franz IV of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

This gift came with a condition. Christian had to agree to become the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and live in Neustrelitz. If he did not agree, his inheritance would be much smaller.

Titles and Honours

Adolphus Frederick held several important titles during his life:

• From 17 June 1882 to 30 May 1904: His Highness Duke Adolphus Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
• From 30 May 1904 to 11 June 1914: His Royal Highness The Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
• From 11 June 1914 to 23 February 1918: His Royal Highness The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

He also received many awards and honours: