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 born in Lichtenstein then part of the Kingdom of Württemberg at his families castle the second son of Duke Wilhelm of Urach and his first wife Duchess Amelie in Bavaria (1865-1912). Through his grandmother Princess Florestine of Monaco (1833-1897) Karl Gero was in the line of succession to the Monegasque throne.

On June 4, 1918 his father was offered the crown of the newly independent Lithuania by the Council of Lithuania. He accepted the offer in July, 1918 taking the regnal name Mindaugas II. His fathers reign came to an end following the German Empire's defeat in the First World War.

Following the death of his father on March 24, 1928 his older brother Prince Wilhelm of Urach renounced his succession rights due to his anticipated unequal marriage later in the year and Karl Gero succeeded as the 3rd Duke of Urach and titular King of Lithuania.

Karl Gero was married on June 20, 1940 to Countess Gabriele of Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg (1910-2005) at her families Zeil Castle. The marriage was childless and following his death his titles were inherited by his nephew Prince Karl Anselm.

References

* [http://www.thepeerage.com/p11070.htm#i110694 thepeerage.com]
* [http://gsteinbe.intrasun.tcnj.edu/royalty/houses/lithuania.htm House of Urach]
* [http://www.urach.de/index.html Website of the Urach family] de icon
* [http://worldroots.com/brigitte/famous/m/mariatheresiaaustriadesc1717-10.htm Worldroots]