Karl Leopold of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (26 November 1678 – 28 November 1747) was Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin from 1713 to 1747.
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Early life
He was the second son of Frederick, Duke of Mecklenburg-Grabow (1638–1688), and his wife, Landgravine Christine Wilhelmine of Hesse-Homburg (1653–1722). He succeeded his brother Frederick William, Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, in 1713.
Biography
Mecklenburg-Schwerin began its existence during a series of constitutional struggles between the duke and the nobles. The heavy debt incurred by Karl Leopold, who had joined Russian Empire in a war against Sweden, brought matters to a head; Charles VI interfered, and in 1728 the Imperial Aulic Council declared the duke incapable of governing. His brother, Christian Ludwig II, was appointed administrator of the duchy.
Personal life
Karl Leopold married three times. His first wife was Princess Sophia Hedwig of Nassau-Dietz (1690–1734), daughter of Henry Casimir II, Prince of Nassau-Dietz, and his wife Henriëtte Amalia van Anhalt-Dessau. They married on 27 May 1709 in Leeuwarden and divorced in 1710. There were no children from this marriage.