Christian III, Count Palatine of Birkenfeld-Zweibrücken

Christian III (7 November 1674 – 3 February 1735) was the Duke of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld from 1717 until 1731, the Duke of Birkenfeld-Zweibrücken from 1731 until 1735, and the Count of Rappoltstein from 1699 until 1735.

Life

Christian was born in Strasbourg in 1674 as the only surviving son of Christian II, Count Palatine of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld. In 1699 he was made the Count of Rappolstein by his father, and in 1717 succeeded him in the remainder of his territories after his death. In 1731 he inherited the Duchy of Zweibrücken from Gustavus Samuel Leopold, and he renamed his territories to Palatinate-Birkenfeld-Zweibrücken. Christian died in Zweibrücken in 1735 and was buried in the Alexanderkirche.

Marriage

Christian married Caroline of Nassau-Saarbrücken (1704 – 25 March 1774) on 21 September 1719 and had the following children:

1. Caroline Henrietta Christine (9 March 1721 – 30 March 1774)
2. Christian (6 September 1722 – 5 September 1775)
3. Frederick Michael (27 February 1724 – 15 August 1767)
4. Christina Henrietta (16 November 1725 – 11 February 1816)