Karl Leopold, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Karl Leopold, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (26 November 1678 – 28 November 1747) was the ruler of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1713 to 1747. He was the second son of Frederick, Duke of Mecklenburg-Grabow, and Christine Wilhelmine of Hesse-Homburg. He became duke in 1713 after his brother Frederick William died.
During his reign, Mecklenburg-Schwerin faced struggles between the duke and the nobility. Karl Leopold’s large debts, partly from his involvement in a war with Sweden as an ally of Russia, led Emperor Charles VI to intervene. In 1728 the Imperial Aulic Council declared him incapable of governing, and his brother Christian Ludwig II was appointed administrator of the duchy.
Karl Leopold married three times. His first wife was Sophia Hedwig of Nassau-Dietz (1709–1710); they divorced with no children. His second wife was Christine von Lepel (1710–1711); they also had no children. His third wife was Grand Duchess Catherine Ivanovna of Russia (m. 1716; d. 1733). They had one daughter, Grand Duchess Anna Leopoldovna of Russia, who later served as Regent of Russia for her son Ivan VI from 1740 to 1741. Anna Leopoldovna married Duke Anthony Ulrich of Brunswick and had five children.
Karl Leopold died in 1747 at the age of 69 and was succeeded by his brother Christian Ludwig II.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 12:52 (CET).