Prince Charles of Prussia
| Prince Charles | |
|---|---|
Painting by Franz Krüger (1852)
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| Born |
29 June 1801 Charlottenburg Palace |
| Died | 21 January 1883 (aged 81) Berlin |
| Burial | Ss. Peter and Paul, Wannsee |
| Spouse | Princess Marie of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach |
| Issue |
Prince Friedrich Karl Louise, Landgravine of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld Anna, Princess Friedrich Wilhelm of Hesse-Kassel |
| House | House of Hohenzollern |
| Father | Frederick William III of Prussia |
| Mother | Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz |
Prince Frederick Charles Alexander of Prussia (German: Prinz Carl von Preußen) (29 June 1801 – 21 January 1883) was a younger son of Frederick William III of Prussia. He served as a Prussian general for much of his adult life and became the first Herrenmeister (Grand Master) of the Order of Saint John after its restoration as a chivalric order. Nevertheless, he is perhaps remembered more often for his patronage of art and for his sizable and fine collections of art and armor.
Charles was born in Charlottenburg near Berlin, the third son of Frederick William III of Prussia by his wife Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. He was named Frederick Charles Alexander at birth, but came to be known as Charles, because there were several other Fredericks in his family at that time. His father was already King of Prussia by the time of Charles' birth, and both of his elder brothers were to succeed to the throne, while his elder sister Charlotte would marry Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. Charles also had two younger sisters, Alexandra and Louise, and a younger brother, Albert.
Prince Charles entered the Prussian army in 1811 at the age of ten, with the rank of lieutenant in a regiment of the guards. In 1819, he became a member of the Prussian Staatsrat. In 1820, he became a major in the First Regiment of Foot Guards. In 1822, he became colonel of the 12th Infantry Regiment. In 1824, he was promoted to major general. In 1830, he commanded the 2nd Guards Division. He was further promoted to lieutenant-general in 1832 and general of infantry in 1844. He served as Inspector-General (1848) and as Generalfeldzeugmeister and chief of the artillery (1854).
Charles served as Governor of Mainz from 1864–1866. In 1852, he became Herrenmeister of the Order of Saint John (Bailiwick of Brandenburg).
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