Karl I of Württemberg

Biography

Charles (German: Karl Friedrich Alexander; 6 March 1823 – 6 October 1891) was the third King of Württemberg from 25 June 1864 until his death in 1891.

Born into the House of Württemberg, Charles was the only son of King William I and Queen Pauline Therese of Württemberg, and ascended to the throne upon his father's death in 1864. More liberal-leaning than his father, he restored freedom of the press and association in 1864, followed by an electoral reform in 1868 that expanded suffrage. In foreign policy, his early reign coincided with the turbulent years surrounding the unification of Germany, and Charles encountered many difficulties in his first years as king, as Austria and Prussia fought for supremacy over the German states. He initially aligned with Austria during the Austro-Prussian War but later sided with Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War, reluctantly joining the new German Empire under Prussian dominance in 1870.

Charles I married Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna of Russia in 1846. The couple had no children, likely due to Charles' homosexuality, and in 1870, the couple adopted Olga's niece, Grand Duchess Vera Konstantinovna. In the later years of his reign, the king, increasingly tired of office, withdraw into private life. Charles was involved in several scandals due to his sexual orientation, including a close relationship with American Charles Woodcock. As he died childless, he was succeeded by his nephew, King William II.