Charles I of Württemberg
Encyclopedia
Charles was the third King of Württemberg, from 25 June 1864 until his death in 1891.
, as HRH Charles Frederick Alexander, Crown Prince of Württemberg the son of William I, King of Württemberg
(1781–1864) and his third wife (and first cousin) Pauline Therese of Württemberg
(1800–1873).
He studied in Berlin
and Tübingen
.
and Charlotte of Prussia. Charlotte was a daughter of Frederick William III of Prussia
and Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
. She took the name Alexandra upon her marriage. Karl acceded to the throne upon his father's death in 1864.
The couple had no children, perhaps because of Karl's homosexuality
. Karl became the object of scandal several times for his closeness with various men. The most notorious of these was the American Charles Woodcock
, a former chamberlain whom Karl elevated to Baron Savage in 1888. Karl and Charles became inseparable, going so far as to appear together in public dressed identically. The resulting outcry forced Karl to renounce his favorite. Woodcock returned to America, and Karl found private consolation some years later with the technical director of the royal theater, Wilhelm George.
In 1870, Olga and Karl adopted Olga's niece Vera Konstantinova, the daughter of her brother Grand Duke Konstantin.
Under Charles' leadership, Württemberg became, in 1871, part of the German Empire
.
He died, childless, at Stuttgart
on 6 October 1891, and was succeeded as King of Württemberg by his agnatic cousin, his sister's son, William II of Württemberg
.
He rests, together with his wife, in the Old Castle
in Stuttgart.
Early life
He was born 6 March 1823 at StuttgartStuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
, as HRH Charles Frederick Alexander, Crown Prince of Württemberg the son of William I, King of Württemberg
William I of Württemberg
William I was the second King of Württemberg from October 30, 1816 until his death.He was born in Lüben, the son of King Frederick I of Württemberg and his wife Duchess Augusta of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel .-First marriage:...
(1781–1864) and his third wife (and first cousin) Pauline Therese of Württemberg
Pauline Therese of Württemberg
Duchess Pauline Therese Luise of Württemberg was a daughter of Louis of Württemberg and Princess Henriette of Nassau-Weilburg...
(1800–1873).
He studied in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and Tübingen
Tübingen
Tübingen is a traditional university town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is situated south of the state capital, Stuttgart, on a ridge between the Neckar and Ammer rivers.-Geography:...
.
Marriage and King of Württemberg
On 13 July 1846 he married Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaievna of Russia, daughter of Tsar Nicholas INicholas I of Russia
Nicholas I , was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855, known as one of the most reactionary of the Russian monarchs. On the eve of his death, the Russian Empire reached its historical zenith spanning over 20 million square kilometers...
and Charlotte of Prussia. Charlotte was a daughter of Frederick William III of Prussia
Frederick William III of Prussia
Frederick William III was king of Prussia from 1797 to 1840. He was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel .-Early life:...
and Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Duchess Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was Queen consort of Prussia as the wife of King Frederick William III...
. She took the name Alexandra upon her marriage. Karl acceded to the throne upon his father's death in 1864.
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
. Karl became the object of scandal several times for his closeness with various men. The most notorious of these was the American Charles Woodcock
Charles Woodcock
Charles Burger Woodcock, created Freiherr Woodcock-Savage, later Charles Woodcock-Savage was a New Yorker who achieved notoriety as the lover of King Karl of Württemberg, by some decades his elder....
, a former chamberlain whom Karl elevated to Baron Savage in 1888. Karl and Charles became inseparable, going so far as to appear together in public dressed identically. The resulting outcry forced Karl to renounce his favorite. Woodcock returned to America, and Karl found private consolation some years later with the technical director of the royal theater, Wilhelm George.
In 1870, Olga and Karl adopted Olga's niece Vera Konstantinova, the daughter of her brother Grand Duke Konstantin.
Under Charles' leadership, Württemberg became, in 1871, part of the German Empire
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
.
He died, childless, at Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
on 6 October 1891, and was succeeded as King of Württemberg by his agnatic cousin, his sister's son, William II of Württemberg
William II of Württemberg
William II was the fourth King of Württemberg, from 6 October 1891 until the abolition of the kingdom on 30 November 1918...
.
He rests, together with his wife, in the Old Castle
Old Castle (Stuttgart)
The Old Castle is located in the centre of Stuttgart, the capital of the German State of Baden-Württemberg. It dates back to the 10th century....
in Stuttgart.