Karl Gero, Duke of Urach
Prince Karl Gero Albrecht Joseph Wilhelm Anton Maria of Urach, Count of Württemberg, 3rd Duke of Urach (19 August 1899 – 15 August 1981) was the head of the morganatic Urach branch of the House of Württemberg. He was also the second successor to the defunct Lithuanian throne upon the death of his uncrowned father, Lithuanian King-elect Mindaugas II.
| Karl Gero | |
|---|---|
| Crown Prince to-be of Lithuania | |
 | |
| Duke of Urach | |
| Reign | 24 March 1928 – 15 August 1981 |
| Predecessor | Wilhelm |
| Successor | Karl Anselm |
| Born | 19 August 1899 Lichtenstein Castle, Lichtenstein, Reutlingen, Württemberg, Germany |
| Died | 15 August 1981 (aged 81) Lichtenstein Castle, Lichtenstein, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany |
| Spouse | Countess Gabriele of Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg |
| Father | Wilhelm, Duke of Urach |
| Mother | Duchess Amalie in Bavaria |
Life
He was born in Lichtenstein, then part of the Kingdom of Württemberg, at his family's Lichtenstein Castle, being the second son of Duke Wilhelm of Urach and his first wife Duchess Amalie in Bavaria.
In 1917 he graduated from the Karls-Gymnasium school in Stuttgart. After graduation he served in the First World War as a lieutenant. He was heavily wounded in 1918. After the war Karl Gero von Urach studied architecture, and later worked as an architect in Munich.
In 1928, on his father's death, Karl Gero became the third Duke (Herzog) of Urach, as his elder brother Wilhelm had resolved to marry morganatically (he was a director at Mercedes Benz for most of his life, and had two daughters).
In 1935 he entered Wehrmacht and became a Hauptmann, and in 1940 was promoted to major. Until 1945 he was based at the local army headquarters at Tübingen and Ulm.
On 20 June 1940 Karl Gero von Urach married Countess Gabriele of Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg (1910–2005). The marriage was childless. Karl Gero von Urach died at Lichtenstein Castle on 15 August 1981, and his nephew Karl Anselm succeeded to the Dukedom.
Ancestry
| Ancestors of Karl Gero, Duke of Urach |
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External links
- Website of the Urach family (in German)