He was the only son and sixth child of George Victor and his first wife Princess Helena of Nassau.

He was a brother of the Dutch Queen consort Emma and Princess Helena, Duchess of Albany.

Following his time in university, Friedrich went on to serve in the Prussian army as part of the Guards Uhlan regiment.

[citation needed] During World War I, he served in the Imperial German Army as a cavalry general.

Germany would, however, lose the war and the German Revolution would force Friedrich to abdicate on 13 November 1918.