 During parts of 1849-1853, he was a student at Uppsala University.On 10 December 1851, he was made an honorary member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.On 16 April 1864 in Altenburg, the Duke married Princess Therese Amalie of Saxe-Altenburg (Ansbach, 21 December 1836 - Haga Palace, Stockholm, 9 November 1914), Duchess of Saxony, eldest daughter of Prince Eduard of Saxe-Altenburg.