Prince Ernst Bernhard of Saxe-Meiningen
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| Ernst Bernhard of Saxe-Meiningen | |
| Born | September 27, 1859 Meiningen |
|---|---|
| Died | December 29, 1941 (aged 82) Altenstein |
| Title | Prince of Saxe-Meiningen |
| Spouse | Katharina Jensen |
| Parents | Georg II of Saxe-Meiningen and Feodora of Hohenlohe-Langenburg |
Prince Ernst Bernhard Victor Georg of Saxe-Meiningen (27 September 1859 - 29 December 1941) was the head of the house of Saxe-Meiningen from 1928 until his death.
[edit] Biography
He was born in Meiningen the eldest son of the heir apparent to the duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, Prince Georg and his second wife Princess Feodora of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. His father succeeded to the throne in 1866. Ernst pursued a career in the Army and retried as Colonel in the Prussian cavalry. He received an honorary doctorate in philosophy from the University of Jena.
Ernst was married in Munich on 20 September 1892 to Katharina Jensen the daughter of Wilhelm Jensen. This was a morganatic marriage and his wife was created Baroness of Saalfeld on their wedding day by Ernst's father Georg II. Though the marriage was unequal Ernst retained his succession rights to the duchy of Saxe-Meiningen.[1]
When his older half brother the last reigning duke of Saxe-Meiningen, Bernhard III died on 16 January 1928 Ernst succeeded him as head of the ducal house. As his children were born of a morgantic marriage Ernst's nephew Georg succeeded him as head of the house following his death at Schloss Altenstein.
[edit] Children
Ernst and Katharina had six children, all of whom held the title Baron (Baroness) of Saalfeld:
| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baron Georg Wilhelm | 11 June 1893 | 29 April 1916 | Killed in Action, La Bassée, France during World War I |
| Baroness Elisabeth Helene | 2 February 1896 | 4 June 1934 | married on 25 April 1917 to Johann Duken. |
| Baron Ernst Frederick | 4 July 1896 | 28 May 1915 | Killed in Action at Josefovo, near Kielmy, Lithuania during World War I |
| Baron Ralf Erich | 28 March 1900 | 22 July 1947 | Married firstly on 11 October 1928 to Marie Seitz. Married secondly on 16 August 1936 to Melanie of Bismarck. Had issue from both marriages. |
| Baron Sven Hans | 18 September 1903 | 13 December 1998 | Married on 20 March 1936 (divorced 1952) Elisabeth Faust. Had issue. |
| Baron Heinrich (Enzio) | 17 July 1908 | 31 March 1941 | Married on 28 February 1936 to Rut Viererbe and had issue. Killed in action flying over England in World War II |
[edit] References
- ^ "Whims of Young William; Zedlitz Sacrificed to Prove the Emperor a Liberal", New York Times, 1892-03-20, p. 1.
