Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg

Duke Borwin of Mecklenburg was born in Freiburg im Breisgau the youngest child and only son of Duke Georg Alexander of Mecklenburg and his wife Archduchess Ilona of Austria (1927–2011) the daughter of Archduke Joseph Francis of Austria and Princess Anna of Saxony. He is an agnatic descendant of Grand Duke Georg of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and through his mother a descendant of King Frederick Augustus III of Saxony and Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.

Duke Borwin became the heir apparent to headship of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz on 6 July 1963 when his grandfather died and his father succeeded as head of the house. Borwin has studied Viticulture at the Geisenheim Grape Breeding Institute and served as an officer in the German Army. He has also managed a Swiss drinks company.

In politics, Duke Borwin is a former local party chairman for the Christian Democratic Union in the village of Hinterzarten in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district of Baden-Württemberg, leaving his post in May 2009.

In 1928 his grandfather George was adopted by his uncle and the head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Duke Charles Michael. His grandfather subsequently assumed the title of Duke of Mecklenburg with the style Serene Highness which was confirmed on 18 July 1929 by the head of the Imperial House of Russia, Grand Duke Cyril Vladimirovich and then recognised on 23 December by the former Grand Duke Frederick Francis IV of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. On 18 December 1950, Hereditary Grand Duke Friedrich Franz of Mecklenburg-Schwerin confirmed the ducal title and also granted the style Highness, which in conjunction with the title, is the style enjoyed by dynastic members of the House of Mecklenburg. His grandfather was also confirmed as head of the house.

Duke Borwin succeeded as head of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz following his father's death on 26 January 1996. With the death of Hereditary Grand Duke Friedrich Franz on the 31 July 2001, the House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin has become extinct in the male line leaving Mecklenburg-Strelitz as the only surviving branch of the grand ducal house.

Duke Borwin is the patron and protector of the Order of the Griffon which was revived in September 1984. The order was founded by Grand Duke Frederick Francis III of Mecklenburg-Schwerin on 15 September 1884. He has also served on the Almanach de Gotha's Comité de Patronage.

In 2005 Duke Borwin along with the head of the House of Hohenzollern, Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia attended the seasonal opening of Hohenzieritz Castle in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. It was at the castle where Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz who married Frederick William III of Prussia and became Queen of Prussia, died in 1810.

Duke Borwin married Alice Wagner (born 2 August 1959 in Hinterzarten) the daughter of Dr. Jürgen-Detlev Wagner and Marianne Bichl in a civil marriage on 24 December 1985 in Hinterzarten followed by a religious ceremony on 19 July 1986. They have three children.

• Duchess Helene Olga Feodora Donata Maria Katharina Theresia of Mecklenburg (born 13 October 1988 in Freiburg im Breisgau)
• Duke Georg Alexander Michael Heinrich Ernst Franz Ferdinand Maria of Mecklenburg (born 17 July 1991 in Freiburg im Breisgau)
• Duke Carl Michael Borwin Georg Friedrich Franz Hubertus Maria of Mecklenburg (born 30 January 1994 in Freiburg im Breisgau)

Dynastic honours

• House of Mecklenburg: Sovereign Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Royal House Order of the Wendish Crown
• House of Mecklenburg: Sovereign Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Griffon, Special Class

Other honours

• Hohenzollern Princely Family: Knight Grand Cross with Chain of the Princely House Order of Hohenzollern

•  United States: Member of the Sons of the American Revolution

Patrilineal descent

1. Niklot, Prince of the Obotrites and Lord of Mecklenburg, 1090–1160
2. Pribislav of Mecklenburg, Prince of the Obotrites and Lord of Mecklenburg, d. 1178
3. Henry Borwin I, Lord of Mecklenburg, d. 1227
4. Henry Borwin II, Lord of Mecklenburg, 1170–1226
5. John I, Lord of Mecklenburg, 1211–1264
6. Henry I, Lord of Mecklenburg, 1230–1302
7. Henry II, Lord of Mecklenburg, 1266–1329
8. Albert II, Duke of Mecklenburg, 1318–1379
9. Magnus I, Duke of Mecklenburg, 1345–1384
10. John IV, Duke of Mecklenburg, 1370–1422
11. Henry IV, Duke of Mecklenburg, 1417–1477
12. Magnus II, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Güstrow, 1441–1503
13. Albert VII, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Güstrow, 1486–1547
14. John Albert I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Güstrow, 1525–1576
15. John VII, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Güstrow, 1558–1592
16. Adolphus Frederick I, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, 1588–1658
17. Adolphus Frederick II, 1st Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 1658–1708
18. Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Prince of Mirow, 1708–1752
19. Charles II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 1741–1816
20. George, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 1779–1860
21. Duke George Augustus of Mecklenburg, 1824–1876
22. Duke George Alexander of Mecklenburg, 1859–1909
23. George, Duke of Mecklenburg, 1899–1963
24. George Alexander, Duke of Mecklenburg, 1921–1996
25. Borwin, Duke of Mecklenburg, b. 1956