Friedrich Franz II

Friedrich Franz II. Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
(28.2.1823 - 15.4.1883)
place of birth: Ludwigslust, Großherzogtum Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Generaloberst m.d.R. GFM: 2 September 1873

Friedrich Franz II was the son of Grand Duke Paul Friedrich and Alexandrine von Preußen. When his father died in 1842, he succeeded him as Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin at the age of 19. He thereafter traveled to Italy, Russian, and the Orient, and in 1849 married Auguste Reu zu Schleiz-Köstritz. He avoided fighting in the Danish-Prussian War of 1864 as he was close friends with the King of Denmark. He then fought in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, and in 1870 commanded Prussia's XIII. Army Corps during the war with France. He died on 15 April 1883 in Schwerin.

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross: 22.3.1871