His Highness Carl Michael Borwin Alexander Georg Friedrich Franz Hubertus Maria, Duke of Mecklenburg, Prince of Wenden, Schwerin and Ratzeburg, Count of Schwerin, Lord of the Lands of Rostock and Stargard was born on 30 January 1994 in Freiburg-im-Breisgau. He is the youngest child of Duke Borwin and Duchess Alice.
Early years in Germany
Duke Michael was christened into the Roman Catholic Church, Duchess Donata of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was among his godparents. As has been traditional for the second son of the family Duke Michael received Carl as his first Christian name.
Duke Michael grew up in the Black Forest region of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany where he received his primary schooling and the initial part of his secondary schooling. Away from his studies he spent time volunteering at a number of social centres in the region helping to care for elderly and disabled people.
Further education in Europe
In 2010 Duke Michael left Germany to finish his secondary schooling at Wilson’s Hospital School in the Republic of Ireland. During his time in Ireland he gained bronze and silver Gaisce award’s (The President’s Award), while at the end of the 2013 academic year he was named Bank of Ireland Student of the Year in Wilson’s Hospital School. At Wilson’s he pursued interests in Tae Kwon Do, in which he gained the rank 9th Dan, and rugby in which he represented the school team.
Other interests include outdoor pursuits like hunting, fishing and climbing.
After leaving Wilson’s in 2013 Duke Michael began studying BA International Studies at Leiden University in the Netherlands. At Leiden he became a member of the Academic Committee of the Bachelor Students of International Studies (B.A.S..S.) study association during his first year and its president in his second year. He also became Chief Junior Editor for the Diplomat Magazine, whose headquarters are in The Hague, and an organiser for the annual Tulips Ball. After ten years in the organising committee, he has ended his engagement in 2025.
After gaining his BA in 2016, Duke Michael remained at Leiden to study for an MA in International Studies with specialisation on Global Conflict in the Modern Era, which he graduated with in January 2018.
In 2025, he successfully accomplished the German TÜV-certificates: Data Protection Officer and Compliance Officer.
Career
Since the end of his studies Duke Michael worked in the defence and security sectors at the Munich Security Conference and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). At SIPRI he published the working paper: “Preventing Violent Extremism in Germany: Coherence and Cooperation in a Decentralized System”. He also spent time serving in the German Army. He still serves once a year as a reserve at the Munich Security Conference.
After leaving the army, Duke Michael settled in Greifswald, Mecklenburg where during the Covid 19 pandemic he worked for the Robert Koch Institute, the federal government agency responsible for disease control and prevention in Germany, before taking a job as a project developer for a renewable energy company.
In 2022 Duke Michael returned to Munich where he worked as Board Officer for the Management and Supervisory Board of Brainlopp AG. Since late 2025, he is a freelancer for project and process management, company structuring as well as data protection and compliance.
Today, Duke Michael lives in Neustrelitz, when his work permits.
Voluntary Commitments
Since 2018, Duke Michael is a member and elected sub-prior (2025) of the Congregatio Canonicorum Sancti Augustini (CCSA).
In 2025, Duke Michael was elected Deputy Head of the Association of the Historical Nobility in Berlin and Brandenburg and has joined the organising committee for its annual Kurmärker Ball in Berlin.
Grand Ducal House
Duke Michael represents the Grand Ducal House at events within Mecklenburg and elsewhere.
His father Duke Borwin and all agnates of full age of the Grand Ducal House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz decided in 2026: Duke Michael will execute all rights, duties and powers regarding the house law of the Grand Ducal House including the rights of the House Order of the Wendish Crown as Deputy Head of the House and will succeed his father. Duke Michael is the representative and spokesman of the House.
Honours
- Grand Cross with the Crown in Ore of the Mecklenburg-Strelitz House Order of the Wendish Crown
- Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Danilo, Royal House of Montenegro (1 August 2018)
- Grand Officer of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, Royal House of Italy (27 September 2025)
- Bronze Cross with Crown, Cross for Proven Marching Skill, International 4Days Marches Nijmegen (2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026)