The annual memorial service in Mirow for deceased members of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was held today in the presence of Her Highness Duchess Marie Katharina, her husband Mr Wolfgang von Wasielewski, their son Alexander and her sister Her Highness Duchess Irene.
The memorial service which took place at the Church of St John and the family crypt located within the church on the Mirow Palace Island was lead by retired Catholic Pastor Bernhard Szymanski from Neustrelitz, the organ was played by Propst Joachim Thal from the Lutheran Church.
The focus of this year’s service was the 200th anniversary of House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz’s elevation to grand ducal status by the Congress of Vienna, which occurred on 28 June 1815.
Among the guests present today was Dr Rajko Lippert, chairman of Mecklenburg-Strelitz Cultural Heritage Society, Sandra Lembke the author of “Hoheiten, Diplomaten und Ehrenretter” and “Majestäten, Feldherren und Herzensbrecher” and Ingrid Sievers a deputy on the County Council.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of the holding of the memorial service which has been held each year on the penultimate Saturday of August since 1996. Next year’s service will thus take place on 20 August.