Notes |
- BIOGRAPHY
Franz Wilhelm, Prinz von Preussen, was born on 3 September 1943 in Grünberg, Silesia, the son of Karl Franz Josef, Prinz von Preussen, and Henriette, Prinzessin von Schoenaich-Carolath. He had a twin brother, Friedrich Christian, who died three weeks after birth.
Franz Wilhelm married his third cousin, once removed, Marya Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia, daughter of Vladimir, Grand Duke of Russia, and Leonida, Princess Bagration-Muchransky. The civil marriage took place on 4 September 1976 at Dinard followed by a relgious ceremony on 22 September 1976 in Madrid.
Following his marriage he converted to the Russian Orthodox faith and was created a Grand Duke of Russia with the name Mikhail Pavlovich by his father-in-law Grand Duke Vladimir of Russia. In 1981 his son George was born. In 1986 Franz Wilhelm and Marya divorced, after which he reverted to his previous title.
In 2002 Franz Wilhelm with Theodor Tantzen funded the Prinz von Preussen development company, which restores old buildings in Germany. In 2004, with financing from a group of investors, he purchased the Royal Porcelain Manufacture Berlin, saving it from insolvency.
|