The first of the two annual memorial services for deceased members of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was held today at 1pm at the Church of St John on Castle Island in Mirow. The Mirow memorial service has been held every year since 1996 and takes place on the penultimate Saturday of August, a second memorial service at the second family crypt at Inzigkofen in Southern Germany is held in early October.
This year’s service placed special focus on Duchess Elizabeth Albertine (pictured), born Princess of Saxe-Hildburghausen, the wife of Duke Carl, Prince of Mirow. The couple had ten children together, all born in Mirow, which included two rulers of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in Duke Adolf Friedrich IV and Grand Duke Carl, and one royal consort in Queen Charlotte the wife King George III of Great Britain. As the guardian and regent for her young son Adolf Friedrich IV she had a prominent role to play in the issues relating to the succession caused by the death of Duke Adolf Friedrich III in 1752, and in preserving her son’s throne and independence of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The memorial service was held in friendly co-operation with the Lutheran Parish of Mirow, while the service itself was lead by retired Pastor, Bernhard Szymanski.
As part of the ongoing reconstruction of Schloss Mirow, the scaffolding which had been put up around the Schloss to enable the restoration the roof and facade was taken down this past week. Other work that has been carried out includes the installation of an elevator and new windows, and the restoration of the hardwood floors, wall panels, stair railings and stucco ceilings. The next stage of the restoration process will see the restoration of wall decorations and hangings and the wallpaper. The restoration has seen an investment of €8 million and is scheduled to be completed in 2014.