Adolphus Frederick V was grand duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz from 1904 to 1914.
Background
Adolphus Frederick Augustus Victor Ernest Adalbert Gustavus William Wellington of Mecklenburg was born in Neustrelitz, the only surviving child of Frederick William, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, and Princess Augusta of Cambridge. Adolphus Frederick took part in the Franco-Prussian war and represented his father at the crowning of King William I of Prussia as German Emperor at Versailles. He succeeded his father as grand duke on 30 May 1904.
His mother, the former British Princess Augusta of Cambridge, was disgusted at her son"s military ways.
Career
He was a first cousin of Princess Mary of Teck, later Queen Mary, consort of British King George V. such a pity, a bad imitation of Schwerin & small German Courts, whilst we were a Gentlemanlike Civilian court!" In 1907 Adolphus Frederick announced that he would grant Mecklenburg-Strelitz a constitution, but this was met with opposition from nobles. In his attempt to create a constitution he offered to pay $2,500,000 to the national treasury if the nobles and land-owning classes dropped their opposition. In 1912 he repeated attempts to create a constitution for Mecklenburg-Strelitz, which along with Mecklenburg-Schwerin were the only European states without one.
In January 1914, Adolphus Frederick was reported to be the second richest person in Germany after the Emperor William II with a fortune of $88,750,000.
22 July 1848 – 6 September 1860: His Highness Duke Adolphus Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 6 September 1860 – 30 May 1904: His Royal Highness The Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 30 May 1904 – 11 June 1914: His Royal Highness The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg.
Views
Duke Karl Borwin of Mecklenburg (Karl Borwin Christian Alexander Arthur, Herzog von Mecklenburg-Strelitz. 10 October 1888 – 24 August 1908). Killed in a duel with his brother-in-law Count George Jametel, defending his sister"s honor.
