Prince Charles of Prussia
Encyclopedia
Prince Frederick Charles Alexander of Prussia (June 29, 1801- January 21, 1883) born in Charlottenburg
, was a younger son of Frederick William III of Prussia
and Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
. Although he served as a Prussian general for much of his adult life, Prince Charles is often remembered for his vast patronage and collections of art and armor.
, he married Princess Marie of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, a daughter of Charles Frederick, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia. She was an older sister of Augusta of Saxe-Weimar
, wife of his brother Wilhelm I. They had three children together:
The family lived in Wilhelmstrasse, opposite the residence of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck
. In possession of great wealth and a great art collector, their palace contained many art treasures. Charles was also a collector of rare weaponry, and carefully acquired and preserved knives, swords, daggers, rifles, pistols, and revolvers from many different countries and time periods. As a result of his vast collection, one source stated his palace was "one of the most famous repositories of bric-a-brac in Europe...his collection of arms and armor is believed to know no rival save in the great State armories at Turin and Vienna". It was said that Charles bore little resemblance to his Hohenzollern cousins, possessing a narrow and colorless face and gray hair along with a stooping posture.
In 1830 he commanded the 2nd Guards Division. He was further promoted to lieutenant-general in 1832 and general of infantry in 1844. He served as Inspector-General (1848) and as Generalfeldzeugmeister and chief of the artillery (1854). Charles served as Governor of Mainz
from 1864-1866. In 1852 Charles became „Herrenmeister“ of the Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg).
. His last words were "Long live the Emperor". At the time of his death, he was the only surviving brother of Emperor Wilhelm I. His death disrupted plans for a silver wedding anniversary celebration for his nephew
and niece
, as well as plans for a visit from the Prince
and Princess
of Wales
to Berlin.
Charlottenburg
Charlottenburg is a locality of Berlin within the borough of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, named after Queen consort Sophia Charlotte...
, was a younger son of Frederick William III of Prussia
Frederick William III of Prussia
Frederick William III was king of Prussia from 1797 to 1840. He was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel .-Early life:...
and Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Duchess Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was Queen consort of Prussia as the wife of King Frederick William III...
. Although he served as a Prussian general for much of his adult life, Prince Charles is often remembered for his vast patronage and collections of art and armor.
Marriage and issue
On May 26, 1827 in CharlottenburgCharlottenburg
Charlottenburg is a locality of Berlin within the borough of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, named after Queen consort Sophia Charlotte...
, he married Princess Marie of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, a daughter of Charles Frederick, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Charles Frederick, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Charles Friedrich, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach was a Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.-Biography:Born in Weimar, he was the eldest son of Charles Augustus, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and Luise Auguste of Hesse-Darmstadt.Charles Frederick succeeded his famous father as Grand Duke...
and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna of Russia. She was an older sister of Augusta of Saxe-Weimar
Augusta of Saxe-Weimar
Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach was the Queen of Prussia and the first German Empress as the consort of William I, German Emperor.-Early life:...
, wife of his brother Wilhelm I. They had three children together:
- Prince Frederick Charles of PrussiaPrince Frederick Charles of PrussiaPrince Friedrich Carl Nicolaus of Prussia was the son of Prince Charles of Prussia and his wife Princess Marie of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach . Prince Frederick Charles was a grandson of King Frederick William III of Prussia and a nephew of Frederick William IV and William I...
(b. 1828-1885). Married Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt-DessauPrincess Maria Anna of Anhalt-DessauPrincess Maria Anna of Anhalt-Dessau was a princess from the House of Ascania. She was the third child of Leopold IV, Duke of Anhalt and Frederica Wilhelmina of Prussia.-Family:...
; father of Louise Margaret, Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn. - Princess Louise of Prussia (1829–1901). Married Alexis of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfel
- Princess Anna of PrussiaPrincess Anna of PrussiaMaria Anna Friederike was a Princess of Prussia. She was usually called Anna.-Suitors:...
(1836–1918). Married Friedrich Wilhelm of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel)
The family lived in Wilhelmstrasse, opposite the residence of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck
Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg , simply known as Otto von Bismarck, was a Prussian-German statesman whose actions unified Germany, made it a major player in world affairs, and created a balance of power that kept Europe at peace after 1871.As Minister President of...
. In possession of great wealth and a great art collector, their palace contained many art treasures. Charles was also a collector of rare weaponry, and carefully acquired and preserved knives, swords, daggers, rifles, pistols, and revolvers from many different countries and time periods. As a result of his vast collection, one source stated his palace was "one of the most famous repositories of bric-a-brac in Europe...his collection of arms and armor is believed to know no rival save in the great State armories at Turin and Vienna". It was said that Charles bore little resemblance to his Hohenzollern cousins, possessing a narrow and colorless face and gray hair along with a stooping posture.
Army career
Prince Charles entered the Prussian army in 1811 at age 10 with the rank of lieutenant in a regiment of the guard. In 1819 he became a member of the Prussian Staatsrat. In 1820 he became a major in the First regiment of Foot Guards. In 1822 he became colonel of the 12th Infantry regiment and in 1824 he was promoted to major general.In 1830 he commanded the 2nd Guards Division. He was further promoted to lieutenant-general in 1832 and general of infantry in 1844. He served as Inspector-General (1848) and as Generalfeldzeugmeister and chief of the artillery (1854). Charles served as Governor of Mainz
Mainz
Mainz under the Holy Roman Empire, and previously was a Roman fort city which commanded the west bank of the Rhine and formed part of the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire...
from 1864-1866. In 1852 Charles became „Herrenmeister“ of the Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg).
Death
In 1882, Prince Charles' foot slipped while getting up from dinner, and consequently fractured his left thigh. As he had already been in delicate health from his advanced age, sources reported that survival was unlikely. He died the following year, on January 21, 1883 in BerlinBerlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. His last words were "Long live the Emperor". At the time of his death, he was the only surviving brother of Emperor Wilhelm I. His death disrupted plans for a silver wedding anniversary celebration for his nephew
Frederick III, German Emperor
Frederick III was German Emperor and King of Prussia for 99 days in 1888, the Year of the Three Emperors. Friedrich Wilhelm Nikolaus Karl known informally as Fritz, was the only son of Emperor William I and was raised in his family's tradition of military service...
and niece
Victoria, Princess Royal
The Princess Victoria, Princess Royal was the eldest child of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Prince Albert. She was created Princess Royal of the United Kingdom in 1841. She became German Empress and Queen of Prussia by marriage to German Emperor Frederick III...
, as well as plans for a visit from the Prince
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
and Princess
Alexandra of Denmark
Alexandra of Denmark was the wife of Edward VII of the United Kingdom...
of Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
to Berlin.