Joseph, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg

Joseph was the second but first surviving son of Frederick, Duke of Saxe-Hildburghausen (of Saxe-Altenburg from 1826) and Duchess Charlotte Georgine of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Joseph succeeded his father as Duke of Saxe-Altenburg after his death in 1834.

In 1814, Joseph and his brother George fought with the allies against France in the Napoleonic Wars. Later, he held the rank of General Major in Saxon services.

Joseph implemented several buildings in Altenburg, but his government was considered conservative and resistant to reform; for this, he was forced to abdicate during the civil revolution of 1848.

In Kirchheim unter Teck on 24 April 1817, Joseph married Amelia of Württemberg, a daughter of Duke Louis of Württemberg. They had six daughters:

• Marie (b. Hildburghausen, 14 April 1818 – d. Gmunden, 9 January 1907), married on 18 February 1843 to King George V of Hanover.
• Pauline (b. Kirchheim unter Teck, 24 November 1819 – d. Hildburghausen, 11 January 1825).
• Therese (b. Hildburghausen, 9 October 1823 – d. Altenburg, 3 April 1915).
• Elisabeth (b. Hildburghausen, 26 March 1826 – d. Oldenburg, 2 February 1896), married on 10 February 1852 to Peter II, Grand Duke of Oldenburg.
• Alexandra (upon her marriage, she took the name Alexandra Iosifovna in a Russian Orthodox baptism) (b. Altenburg, 8 July 1830 – d. St. Petersburg, 6 July 1911), married on 11 September 1848 to Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia.
• Luise (b. Altenburg, 4 June 1832 – d. Hummelshain, 29 August 1833).

He received the following orders and decorations:^[1]