Line of succession to the Mecklenburg thrones

The line of succession to the Mecklenburg thrones was an ordered list of people eligible to succeed to the grand ducal thrones of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The monarchies in both these states were abolished in 1918 following the outbreak of the November Revolution in the German Empire. Today only the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz survives.

Succession

The Grand Duchies law of succession stated that only males could succeed to the total exclusion of females and so this remains the succession law used by the House today. As a result the House of Mecklenburg-Schwein became extinct in 2001 on the death of the last male of the House, Friedrich Franz, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, leaving the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz the only surviving line of the House of Mecklenburg.

The House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz itself was on the brink of extinction until 1928 when the only male and head of the House, Charles Michael, Duke of Mecklenburg, adopted and recognised his morganatic nephew, Count George of Carlow, as his heir. The last Grand Duke from the Strelitz line, Adolphus Frederick VI, committed [...] on 23 February 1918 and as his cousin and heir Charles Michel was a national of Russia and so not in Mecklenburg, Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, established a regency in Strelitz until the establishment of a Free State.

Count George was recognised as a Duke of Mecklenburg (Serene Highness) on 18 July 1929 by the head of the Imperial House of Russia, Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovich, and then five months later on 29 December by Frederick Francis IV. On 18 December 1950 it was announced the style of Highness was recognised for him and the rest of the Mecklenburg-Strelitz family. His position as head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was also confirmed.

Lines of succession in November 1918

Mecklenburg-Schwerin

• Grand Duke: Frederick Francis IV (1882-1945)

1. Friedrich Franz, Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1910-2001), son of Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg
2. Duke Christian Ludwig of Mecklenburg (1912-1996), son of Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg
3. Duke Johann Albrecht of Mecklenburg (1857-1920), son of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg
4. Duke Adolf Friedrich of Mecklenburg (1873-1963), son of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg
5. Prince Hendrik of the Netherlands (1876-1934), son of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg
6. Duke Paul Frederick of Mecklenburg (1852-1923), son of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg
7. Duke Henry Borwin of Mecklenburg (1885-1942), son of Duke Paul Frederick of Mecklenburg

Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Grand Duke: Vacant

1. Duke Charles Michael of Mecklenburg (1863-1934), grandson of George, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg

Current House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz line of succession

Head: Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg (b. 1956)

1. Duke Alexander of Mecklenburg (b. 1991), son of Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg
2. Duke Michael of Mecklenburg (b. 1994), son of Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg
3. Duke Carl Gregor of Mecklenburg (b. 1933), son of George, Duke of Mecklenburg

References

it:Linea di successione al trono del Meclemburgo-Schwerin