Georg Alexander, Duke of Mecklenburg was the head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz from 1963 until his death.
Background
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. 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.
Career
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. 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.
Duke Georg Alexander studied law in Freiburg before completing his studies in banking.
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.
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. Titles and styles 27 August 1921 – 11 September 1928: Count Georg Alexander of Carlow 11 September 1928 – 18 December 1950: His Serene Highness Duke Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg, Count of Carlow 18 December 1950 – 6 July 1963: His Highness Duke Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg 6 July 1963 - 26 January 1996: His Highness George Alexander, Duke of Mecklenburg Honours.