Friedrich Wilhelm I, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Kupfer
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His Royal Highenss Grand Duke Friedrich Wilhelm (Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander Sebrantke) (born 3 April 1958), styled His Royal Highness The Grand Duke, is the Grand Duke and Head of State of the Grand Duchy of Mecklanburg-Kupfer. He inherited the grand dukedom in 2001. Friedrich Wilhelm is the sixth grand duke of the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Kupfer dynasty, a senior female-line branch of the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
Background
His Grand Ducal Highness Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Alexander Sebrantke von Mecklenburg-Kupfer was born on 3 April 1958 at the Friedrichsburg Palace, the first of four brothers. Friedrich Wilhelm's childhood took place in a world of splendor and wealth. As the heir apparent, nothing was spared in his education and training. Along side his preparation for his future role, Friedrich Wilhelm spent much time at play with his brothers, cousins, and the children of his family's close friends
As a boy and young man Friedrich Wilhelm surpassed all expectations. He was an exceptional student who graduated with honors from the Prince's School, Kupfer's most elite prep school, in 1976. After a gap year of travel, Friedrich Wilhelm went on to the University of Kupfer. He graduated in 1982 with an advanced degree in economics.
Friedrich Wilhelm became the heir apparent in 1977 and inherited the grand dukedom on the death of his father in 2001.
Marriage and Children
Friedrich Wilhelm first met his wife, Princess Adalheid of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, at a family reunion in 1975. The pair were smitten with each other almost immediately. Because of Adalheid's young age, a long-distance friendship was encouraged by their parents. After four years of correspondence and several supervised meetings, Friedrich was allowed to propose to Adalheid who accepted. They were married on 2 June 1980 in Coburg. Adalheid and Friedrich have three daughters.
Children
- Alexandrine (1983)
- Adela (1988)
- Annelien (1991)
Other Royal Relations
- Brother-in-law of Carl Philipp, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Currently
Since becoming Grand Duke, Friedrich Wilhelm has continued his father's modernization policies. In addition, he has introduced measures to make sure government is transparent and accessible to the people of Mecklenburg-Kupfer. The Grand Duke's honesty and generosity towards his subjects have made him extremely popular.
When not engaged in official duties, Friedrich Wilhelm is a doting father and a loving husband. The Grand Duke enjoys horse racing and spending an afternoon playing a round of golf. Friedrich Wilhelm is also a yellow glove savateur.
