As the world celebrates the milestone of Prince Karl of Hesse's 85th birthday, it is a fitting tribute to a life marked by family, tradition, and a deep connection to European royal heritage. Born on March 26, 1937, in Berlin, Prince Karl was the first son and third child of Prince Christoph of Hesse and Princess Sophie of Greece and Denmark, making him a nephew of the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh1.
Prince Karl's life was filled with significant events, including his marriage to Countess Yvonne Szapáry von Muraszombath, Széchysziget und Szapár in 1966, which was both civilly and religiously celebrated. He also gained three half-siblings through his mother's remarriage to Prince Georg Wilhelm of Hannover in 1946. Throughout his life, Prince Karl maintained strong ties to his royal heritage, often participating in family gatherings and events, such as the wedding of his daughter Princess Irina in 1999.
Prince Karl of Hesse (1937-2022), Nephew of the Duke of Edinburgh
On 23 March 2022, Prince Karl of Hesse died in Munich. He was eighty-four years-old. The prince was a nephew of the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
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| Princess Sophie of Greece and Prince Christoph of Hesse. |
Born on 26 March 1937 at Berlin, Prince Karl Adolf Andreas of Hesse was the first son and third child of Prince Christoph of Hesse (1901-1943) and Princess Sophie of Greece and Denmark (1914-2001), who wed in 1930. Christoph and Sophie were second cousins once removed twice over; their common ancestor in the first case was Landgrave Wilhelm of Hesse-Kassel and their common ancestor in the second case was Queen Victoria. Prince Karl had four full siblings: Princess Christina (1933-2011; married 1st to Prince Andrej of Yugoslavia; married 2nd to Robert van Eyck), Princess Dorothea (b.1934; married Prince Friedrich Karl zu Windisch-Grätz), Prince Rainer (b.1939), and Princess Clarissa (b.1944; married Claude Jean Derrien).
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| The family of Princess Sophie.
Front row: Princess Christina of Hesse, Prince Welf of Hanover, Princess Sophie with Princess Friederike, Prince Georg of Hanover, and Princess Clarissa of Hesse.
Back row: Prince Rainer of Hesse, Princess Dorothea of Hesse, Prince Georg Wilhelm, and Prince Karl of Hesse. |
In 1946, three years after being widowed, Karl's mother Sophie married Prince Georg Wilhelm of Hannover (1915-2006). Both descendants of Queen Victoria through another line, Sophie and Georg Wilhelm were second cousins; their common ancestor was King Christian IX of Denmark. From this marriage, Karl gained three half-siblings: Prince Welf (1947-1981; married Wibke van Gunsteren), Prince Georg (b.1949; married Victoria Bee), and Princess Friederike (b.1954; married Jerry William Cyr).
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| Princess Alice of Greece and the Duke of Edinburgh arriving at the wedding of Prince Karl. |
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| Karl and Yvonne of Hesse on their wedding day. |
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| The prince and princess on their wedding day. |
On 26 March 1966 at The Hague, Prince Karl of Hesse civilly married Countess Yvonne Szapáry von Muraszombath, Széchysziget und Szapár on the prince's twenty-ninth birthday. The couple were religiously wed on 18 April at St. Jacobs Kerk. Among others, their nuptials were attended by
King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Princess Alice of Greece, the Duke of Edinburgh, Fürstin Margarita zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Margravine Theodora of Baden, Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia, Prince Juan Carlos and Princess SofÃa of Spain, and Princess Irene of Greece.
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| Baroness Ursula von Richthofen with bridesmaids on her wedding day in 1933 to her first husband.
Photo (c) Getty Images. |
Princess Yvonne (b.1944) was the only child of Count Béla von Muraszombath, Széchysziget und Szapár (1901-1993) and Baroness Ursula von Richthofen (1907-2002; married 1stly to Godert Willem, Baron de Vos van Steenwijk). Princess Yvonne of Hesse is a fourth cousin of Princess Michael of Kent (née Baroness Marie Christine von Reibnitz); their common ancestors are Count József von Muraszombath, Széchysziget und Szapár (1754-1822) and Countess Johanna von Gatterburg (1779-1812).
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| Prince Karl of Hesse with his daughter Princess Irina at her wedding, 1999.
Photograph (c) Seeger-Presse |
Prince Karl and Princess Yvonne had two children: Prince Christoph (b.1969) and Princess Irina (b.1971). In 1999, Princess Irina married Count Alexander von Schönburg-Glauchau (b.1969), the brother of Fürstin Gloria von Thurn und Taxis.
May the Prince Rest in Peace.
As we conclude this article about the life of Prince Karl of Hesse, we are reminded of the significance of his legacy and the impact he had on those around him. His life was marked by a deep connection to his royal heritage and a strong sense of family, which was evident in his numerous family gatherings and events. From his early years as the first son and third child of Prince Christoph of Hesse and Princess Sophie of Greece and Denmark, to his marriage to Countess Yvonne Szapáry von Muraszombath, Széchysziget und Szapár, and the birth of his children, Prince Karl's life was filled with significant events that shaped his identity and role within the royal family.
As we reflect on the life of Prince Karl of Hesse, we are reminded of the importance of preserving and honoring the traditions and customs of the royal family. His life was a testament to the enduring power of family and the role that each individual plays in shaping the future of the monarchy. We hope that this article has provided a meaningful glimpse into the life of Prince Karl of Hesse, and that it has inspired readers to learn more about the rich history and heritage of the European royal families. We extend our gratitude to those who have contributed to this article and to the countless individuals who have been touched by the life and legacy of Prince Karl of Hesse.
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