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Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg[1] (German: Borwin, Herzog zu Mecklenburg; given names: Georg Borwin Friedrich Franz Karl Stephan Konrad Hubertus Maria; born 10 June 1956) has been the head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz since 1996. With the death of the last male member of the House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on 31 July 2001, Strelitz is the only remaining line of the House of Mecklenburg, the dynasty which ruled in Mecklenburg until 1918.
It is claimed that duke Borwin and his sons are the only surviving male-line descendants of medieval sovereign Slavic dynasties of the Wends. The ruling families of Rügen, Pomerania, Pomerelia, Piast of Poland, and Mecklenburg-Schwerin are often claimed to be extinct in male lines, as are such princely families as Putbus and Gristow.
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Duke Borwin of Mecklenburg was born in Freiburg im Breisgau the youngest child and only son of Duke Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg and his wife Archduchess Ilona of Austria (1927–2011) the daughter of Archduke Joseph Francis of Austria and Princess Anna of Saxony. He is an agnatic descendant of Grand Duke Georg of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and through his mother a descendant of King Frederick Augustus III of Saxony and Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.
Duke Borwin became the heir apparent to headship of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz on 6 July 1963 when his grandfather died and his father succeeded as head of the house. Borwin has studied Viticulture at the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute and served as an officer in the German Army. He has also managed a Swiss drinks company.[2]
In politics, Duke Borwin is a former local party chairman for the Christian Democratic Union in the village of Hinterzarten in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district of Baden-Württemberg, leaving his post in May 2009.[3]
In 1928 his grandfather George was adopted by his uncle and the head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Duke Charles Michael. His grandfather subsequently assumed the title of Duke of Mecklenburg with the style Serene Highness which was confirmed on 18 July 1929 by the head of the Imperial House of Russia, Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovich and then recognised on 23 December by Grand Duke Frederick Francis IV of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.[4] On 18 December 1950, Hereditary Grand Duke Friedrich Franz of Mecklenburg-Schwerin confirmed the ducal title and also granted the style Highness, which in conjunction with the title, is the style enjoyed by all members of the House of Mecklenburg.[5] His grandfather was also confirmed as head of the house.[6]
| Styles of Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg |
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|---|---|
| Reference style | His Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Highness |
| Alternative style | Sir |
Duke Borwin succeeded as head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz following his father's death on 26 January 1996.[2] With the death of Hereditary Grand Duke Friedrich Franz on the 31 July 2001, the House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin has become extinct in the male line leaving Mecklenburg-Strelitz as the only surviving branch of the grand ducal house.
Duke Borwin is the patron and protector of the Order of the Griffin which was revived in September 1984. The order was founded by Grand Duke Frederick Francis III of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on 15 September 1884.[7] He has also served on the Almanach de Gotha's Comité de Patronage.[8]
In 2005 Duke Borwin along with the head of House of Hohenzollern, Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia attended the seasonal opening of Hohenzieritz Castle in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.[9] It was at the castle where Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz who married Frederick William III of Prussia and became Queen of Prussia, died in 1810.
Duke Borwin married Alice Wagner (born 2 August 1959 in Hinterzarten) the daughter of Dr. Jürgen-Detlev Wagner and Marianne Bichl in a civil marriage on 24 December 1985 in Hinterzarten followed by a religious ceremony on 19 July 1986. They have three children.[5]
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Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg
Cadet branch of the House of Mecklenburg
Born: 10 June 1956 |
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| Titles in pretence | ||
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| Preceded by Georg Alexander |
— TITULAR — Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 26 January 1996–Present Reason for succession failure: Grand Duchy abolished in 1918 |
Incumbent Heir: Duke Alexander of Mecklenburg |