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Karl Ludwig FriedrichThe last representative of the senior branch of the Zähringen family.
Date of Birth: 08.06.1786
Country:  Germany |
Content:
Grand Duke Karl of Baden
Lineage and AscensionGrand Duke Karl Ludwig Friedrich of Baden was the last descendant of the senior branch of the House of Zähringen. Born to Prince Karl Ludwig and Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt, he was the grandson of Grand Duke Karl Friedrich of Baden. Karl's sister, Elisabeth Alexeievna, was the Empress of Russia.
Upon his father's death in 1801, Karl became Hereditary Prince of Baden. In recognition of his importance, he was awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called on August 30, 1801. A decade later, he succeeded his grandfather as Grand Duke.
Political Achievements
Karl played a key role in the Vienna Congress, where territories acquired by Baden during the Napoleonic Wars were confirmed. In 1818, he issued a new constitution for Baden.
Marriage and Family
Karl's plans to marry the Bavarian princess Augusta were disrupted by Napoleon's machinations. Napoleon desired Augusta for his stepson Eugène de Beauharnais and, as compensation, offered Karl the hand of Eugène's cousin, Stéphanie de Beauharnais. Karl and Stéphanie married in April 1806. They had five children:
- Louise (1811-1854)
- A son (1812-1812), rumored to be Kaspar Hauser- Joséphine (1813-1900)
- Alexander (1816-1816)
- Marie (1817-1888)
Legacy
Karl died without male heirs, and the throne of Baden passed to his uncle, Ludwig I. Despite his short reign, Karl's political reforms and his role in the Vienna Congress left a lasting legacy on Baden.
