Prince Charles Alexander Emanuel of Lorraine (French: Charles Alexandre Emanuel, Prince de Lorraine; German: Karl Alexander von Lothringen und Bar; 12 December 1712 in Lunéville – 4 July 1780 in Tervuren[1]) was a Lorraine-born Austrian general and soldier, field marshal of the Imperial Army, and governor of the Austrian Netherlands.

Although Maria Anna died later the same year after marriage, Charles' popularity and lack of clear replacement allowed him to continue as governor and de facto sovereign until his own death in 1780.

He was able to attain command ahead of the more popular Marshal Browne because of the support of his brother who had significant influence over military appointments.

During Austria's Third Silesian War against Prussia (part of the wider Seven Years' War), he commanded the Imperial Army at the Battle of Prague, where he was again defeated by Frederick the Great, king in Prussia, but was able to inflict heavy casualties on the larger Prussian forces.

[2] At Leuthen, the Austrians were overwhelmingly defeated by an army half their size, with fewer guns, and tired after a long march over 12 days.

Charles and his second in command, Count Leopold Joseph von Daun, sank "in the depths of despondency", and the Prince could not fathom what had happened.

After this crushing defeat, Maria Theresa replaced him with Daun; Charles retired from military service and subsequently served as the governor of the Austrian Netherlands.