Princess Alexandra of Hanover (born 1882)


Princess Alexandra of Hanover and Cumberland was the wife of Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the last ruling Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Family

Alexandra was the second eldest daughter and third child of Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover and Princess Thyra of Denmark, the youngest daughter of Christian IX of Denmark and Louise of Hesse-Kassel. Alexandra was a great-great-granddaughter of George III of the United Kingdom and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

Marriage and issue

Alexandra married on 7 June 1904 in Gmunden, Austria-Hungary to Frederick Francis IV, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, son of Frederick Francis III, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and his wife Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia. The bridegroom gave Alexandra a diamond and aquamarine tiara by Faberge.
Alexandra and Frederick Francis had five children:
In 1913, a fire broke out at Schwerin Castle while the Grand Duke, Grand Duchess, and guests were dining there. Everyone was able to make it out safely, although the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess had to apparently rush through flying sparks when making their escape. There were a reported $750,000 in damages, in which countless works of art, as well as important rooms were utterly destroyed. Certain reports blamed the fire on a vengeful servant, although an official court announcement stated it was merely an electrical issue.

Titles and styles