Background
Karl was the eldest son of Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg and Princess Louise Caroline of Hesse-Kassel and an elder brother of Christian IX of Denmark.
Karl was the eldest son of Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg and Princess Louise Caroline of Hesse-Kassel and an elder brother of Christian IX of Denmark.
Karl became Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg upon his father"s death on 27 February 1831. Titles and styles 30 September 1813 – 6 July 1825: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck 6 July 1825 – 17 February 1831: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg 17 February 1831 – 19 December 1863: His Serene Highness The Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg 19 December 1863 – 24 October 1878: His Highness The Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg.