Charles I of Württemberg

CHARLES I OF WÜRTTEMBERG (Karl Friedrich Alexander) — King of Württemberg from 1864 until his death, and the only son of King Wilhelm I and Queen Pauline. He received military and academic education in Ludwigsburg, Tübingen and Berlin and travelled in several European countries. In 1846 he married Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna Romanova, daughter of Emperor Nicholas I of Russia. Their marriage was childless; in the early 1870s the couple formally adopted Olga's niece, Vera Konstantinovna.

Karl succeeded his father on 25 June 1864. The early years of his reign saw a relaxation of restrictions on the press and associations and changes to electoral law against the background of political transformations within Germany. Württemberg supported Austria in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 but later joined the unified German Empire founded in 1871. Charitable work undertaken with the support of Queen Olga was a prominent part of public life, particularly medical care and assistance for children. In 1871 Karl founded the Order of Olga, named for his wife, to honour voluntary relief work. In his final years he withdrew increasingly from public duties. He died in Stuttgart and was succeeded by his nephew Wilhelm II.