Prince Friedrich Karl von Preußen was born in Schloss Klein-Glienicke, Potsdam/Berlin. He was the son of Prince Friedrich Leopold of Prussia (1865–1931) and Princess Louise Sophie of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg (1866–1952) and a grandson of Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia. He was part of the German team, which was able to win a bronze medal in the equestrian team jumping event. His horse during the Olympic competition was "Gibson Boy".