After studying forestry and economics, he served with the 5th Reserve Mountain Battalion during World War I and retired from military service in 1919 with the rank of oberst.

This was resolved when Frederick threatened the city of Sigmaringen with moving his administration to Munich, prompting Minister of the Interior Carl Severing to put Scherer on leave.

Despite the adverse conditions during the global economic crisis of the early 1930s, Frederick managed to secure ownership of the family properties and its businesses, especially the extensive forest holdings in East Germany.

His younger twin brother joined the SS and in 1935 the Nazi state awarded Frederick the title of Royal Highness.

Shortly after this meeting, the spokesman of King Carol II, in an interview with the French paper Le Figaro, expressed his strong support for Prince Frederick, additionally asserting that Michael would never regain the throne.