Duke Alexander and Duchess Hande have named their new born son Georg Leopold Borwin. He will be known by the middle of these names, Leopold.
Georg is the name traditionally given to the firstborn male of the younger branch of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz descending from Grand Duke Georg (1779-1860) via his second son Duke Georg (1824-1876). This branch succeeded to headship of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in 1918 upon the extinction of the elder branch.
Leopold remembers the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I (1640-1705) of the House of Habsburg who formalised the creation of the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in 1701 by imperial decree. Via his great grandmother Archduchess Ilona of Austria (1927-2011), the infant Duke is descended in multiple ways from Emperor Leopold.
Borwin is a Wendish name which is currently borne by the infant Duke’s grandfather Duke Borwin, the current head of the House of Mecklenburg. The name Borwin has a long history in the House of Mecklenburg having first been given to Heinrich Borwin I, Prince of Mecklenburg (died 1227), the grandson of the progenitor of the family, Niklot, Prince of the Obotrites (died 1160). The infant Duke is a 26th generation descendant of Niklot in the direct male line.
Duke Alexander and Duchess Hande are grateful for the many congratulations received on the birth of their first child.
The baptism is expected to take place in the spring of 2024.
