# Georg Alexander, Duke of Mecklenburg

Georg Alexander, Duke of Mecklenburg (German: Georg Alexander Herzog zu Mecklenburg; 27 August 1921 – 26 January 1996) was the head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz from 1963 until his death.

## Early life

Georg Alexander was born in Nice, France, the eldest son of the then Count George of Carlow and his first wife Irina Mikhailovna Raievskya (1892–1955). His father assumed the title Duke of Mecklenburg with the style Serene Highness following his adoption by the head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and his uncle Duke Charles Michael. The adoption of the title was confirmed by the head of the Imperial House of Russia, Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovich on 18 July 1929 and recognised on 23 December by Grand Duke Friedrich Franz IV of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
With the death of Duke Charles Michael on 6 December 1934 his father succeeded as head of the Grand Ducal house of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and thus Georg Alexander became heir apparent. The grand ducal family lived at Remplin Castle in Mecklenburg until it was destroyed in a fire in April 1940. During the Second World War both Georg Alexander and his father were interned by the Gestapo for a time.

## Post World War II

Duke Georg Alexander studied law in Freiburg before completing his studies in banking. On 18 December 1950 his father's title was confirmed by the House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and he then assumed the style of Highness, while his status as head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was also confirmed. At the same time the Count of Carlow title was abolished. Georg Alexander lived for a time in Ireland where he managed a number of properties. On returning to Germany he spent twenty years working for an advertising company.
On 6 July 1963 he succeeded his father as head of the Grand Ducal house of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. In 1990 he moved to Mecklenburg and was given an apartment in the former grand ducal residence of Mirow Castle by the local government and he was involved in its reconstruction. Georg Alexander died in Mirow and was succeeded as head of the Grand Ducal house by his son Duke Borwin.

## Marriage and children

Duke Georg Alexander was married in Sigmaringen to Archduchess Ilona of Austria (20 April 1927 – 12 January 2011) civilly on 20 February 1946 followed by a religious ceremony on 30 April. Archduchess Ilona belonged to the Hungarian Palatine branch of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and was a granddaughter of Archduke Joseph August of Austria. Georg Alexander and Ilona had four children before divorcing on 12 December 1974.
| Name | Birth | Notes |
| Duchess Elisabeth Christina | 22 March 1947 | Married Alhard, Count von dem Bussche-Ippenburg (b. 30 June 1947) civilly on 15 November 1974 in Lüdenscheid and religiously on 3 May 1975 at Hohenzollern Castle. Had two daughters and a son before divorcing on 15 December 1997. |
| Duchess Marie Katharina | 14 November 1949 | Married Wolfgang von Wasielewski (b. 15 December 1951) civilly on 17 March 1978 at Bonn and religiously on 15 July at Biengen. Has two children. |
| Duchess Irene | 18 April 1952 | Married Constantin Harmsen (b. 28 April 1954) civilly on 22 September 1979 at Mexico City and religiously at Biengen on 26 July 1980. Has two sons. |
| Duke Borwin | 10 June 1956 | Married Alice Wagner (b. 2 August 1959) in Hinterzarten civilly on 24 December 1985 and religiously on 19 July 1986. Has three children and is the current head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. |

## Ancestry

Ancestors of Georg Alexander, Duke of Mecklenburg :