Princess Anna of Hesse and by Rhine

Princess Anna of Hesse and by Rhine (German: Prinzessin Anna von Hessen und bei Rhein; 25 May 1843 – 16 April 1865) was the consort and second wife of Friedrich Franz II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Early life

Princess Anna of Hesse and by Rhine, third child and only daughter of Prince Karl of Hesse and by Rhine, and his wife, Princess Elisabeth of Prussia, was born at Bessungen, Grand Duchy of Hesse.^[1] Her paternal grandfather was Ludwig II, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine. Her mother was a granddaughter of King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia.

Her eldest brother Ludwig married in 1862 to Princess Alice of the United Kingdom, third child and second daughter of Queen Victoria.

Marriage

As a young girl, Anna was considered as a possible bride for the future Edward VII of the United Kingdom (known as 'Bertie' to his family).^[2] While his mother Queen Victoria was in favor of Anna, Bertie's elder sister was opposed to the match, as she believed Anna had a "disturbing twitch".^[2] As time went by however, Victoria grew increasingly impatient, and tried to ignore her daughter's hints that Anna was not suitable, declaring "I am much pleased with the account of Princess Anna, (minus the twitching)".^[3] In the end, Alexandra of Denmark was chosen instead.

On 4 July 1864 in Darmstadt, Anna married Friedrich Franz II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin son of Paul Friedrich, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.^[1] (Friedrich Franz's first wife Princess Augusta of Reuss-Köstritz had died in 1862.) Together they had one daughter:

• Duchess Anna Elisabeth Auguste Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (7 April 1865 – 8 February 1882)^[4]

Death

Anna died of puerperal fever a week later after giving birth to her only daughter. She was buried at the Schwerin Cathedral. Her husband remarried to Princess Marie of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, and fathered by her Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, consort of Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles

• 25 May 1843 – 4 July 1864: Her Grand Ducal Highness Princess Anna of Hesse and by Rhine
• 4 July 1864 – 16 April 1865: Her Royal Highness The Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin

Ancestry

References

1. ^ ^{a b} C. Arnold McNaughton, The Book of Kings, volume 1, page 416
2. ^ ^{a b} Pakula, p. 143.
3. ^ Pakula, p. 144.
4. ^ C. Arnold McNaughton, The Book of Kings, volume 1, page 417.

Sources

• Pakula, Hannah (1995). An Uncommon Woman: The Empress Frederick, Daughter of Queen Victoria, Wife of the Crown Prince of Prussia, Mother of Kaiser Wilhelm. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0684842165. 
• Genealogics - Leo van de Pas Princess Anna von Hessen und bei Rhein
• thePeerage.com Anne Prinzessin von Hessen und bei Rhein