Principality of Reuss Elder Line

The Principality of Reuss Elder Line (German: Fürstentum Reuß ältere Linie) was a state in Germany, ruled by members of the House of Reuss. The Counts Reuss of Greiz, Lower- and Upper Greiz (German: Reuß zu Greiz, Untergreiz und Obergreiz), were elevated to princely status in 1778. Its members bore the title Prince Reuss, Elder Line, or Prince Reuss of Greiz. Similarly to the more numerous Reuss Younger Line, the male members of this house were all named "Heinrich", in honour of Heinrich VI who had benefited the family, and were numbered sequentially by birth, rather than by reign, the last series beginning with Heinrich I (born 1693) and ending with Heinrich XXIV (1878–1927).

The Principality of Reuss Elder Line had an area of 317 km² and a population of 71,000 (1905). Its capital was Greiz.

In the aftermath of World War I, the territory of the Elder Line was merged with the Junior Line in 1919 as the Republic of Reuss, which was incorporated into the new state of Thuringia in 1919. The Reuss Elder Line died with the death of the childless Heinrich XXIV in 1927, after which its claims were passed to the younger line.

Princes Reuss, Elder Line (1778–1918)

• Heinrich XI (1778–1800)
• Heinrich XIII (1800–1817)
• Heinrich XIX (1817–1836)
• Heinrich XX (1836–1859)
• Heinrich XXII (1859–1902)
• Heinrich XXIV (1902–1918)

Princes post-monarchy

• Heinrich XXIV (1918–1927)

To Reuss Younger Line on the death of Prince Heinrich XXIV

Notable figures

• Princess Hermine Reuss of Greiz - wife of former German Emperor Wilhelm II
• Princess Caroline Reuss of Greiz - wife of Wilhelm Ernst, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach