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The death of Richard Fürst zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg earlier this week saw a surge in interest in my take on the (in)famous will of inheritance looming over the family . One point about the Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg inheritance that many seem to find especially curious is the fact that the late Prince Richard never actually owned his family's fortune but that it was instead passed from his father - who went missing during World War 2 - to a yet unborn grandson - who was born in 1969 - (or anyone else, really, who would inherit after Prince Richard). The German nobility, however, isn't short of interesting inheritance constructions - case in point: The Thurn und Taxis inheritance. Princess Gloria and Prince Johannes of Thurn und Taxis The Thurn und Taxis family isn't just famous for their fabulous wealth, estimated at around $ 2.5 billion today - even though Princess Gloria of Thurn und Taxis says it less than a billion - but also for their lifestyle to go a

Don't Forget The Spud: Why People Put Potatoes on the Grave of Friedrich the Great

August 08, 2018

King Friedrich II of Prussia is famous for many things: His victories on the battlefield that made Prussia one of the leading European powers, his support of the arts, his endorsement of the Enlightenment - and for bringing the potato to Prussia and thus to Germany. While it's hardly imaginable today considering the Germans' love for all things potato, his subjects initially weren't too happy about this strange and exotic plant coming from South America. Friedrich the Great, locally also known as Old Fritz, introduced the potato to the Kingdom of Prussia in 1743. All throughout the 18th century, famines had ravaged Europe and led to the starvation of thousands of people. Friedrich recognised the affordable and nourishing qualities of the new vegetable previously only thought to be fit to feed animals. However, his people weren't having it. Despite royal orders, the Prussian people were reluctant to grow and eat potatoes. But Old Fritz had a plan: First, he

Royal Wedding in Hanover: The Guests (Part 2)

July 09, 2017

And here we go again, some more guests of the royal wedding in Hanover yesterday. Once again in no particular order. For more guests, have a look at my previous post . Pictures of the bridal couple here . The bride's parents on the left together with Princess Alexandra of Hanover, Alessandra de Osma (fiancée of Prince Christian), Prince Christian of Hanover and Princess Chantal of Hanover, mother of the groom. It was Prince Christian who led a round of rousing applause for his brother and sister-in-law. Princess Alexandra and Alessandra de Osma. Prince Christian. Princess Alexandra Princess Chantal, mother of the groom. Baron Christian of Humboldt-Dachroeden, illegitimate son of the groom's grandfather, and his wife Baroness Marie. Countess Marie of Hochberg, née Princess of Hanover and aunt of the groom. Hereditary Prince Ferdinand of Leiningen, cousin of the groom. Martin Kind, businessman and president of the local football club,

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