His mother was Princess Charlotte of Hesse-Darmstadt, his father's second wife who died shortly after his birth on 12 December.

[1] On 2 June 1794 his father succeeded Adolf Friedrich IV as the reigning Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

During this campaign while commanding a small column he managed to hold off an attack by French forces who had superior numbers for a whole day before being ordered to withdraw during the night.

[2] Later that year Duke Charles was appointed to command the 1st of the Line the oldest regiment of foot in the service.

[2] In 1815 Duke Charles was appointed a Lieutenant General and Commandant of the Royal Guards and Grenadiers.