Monthly Archives: November 2025

German Princely Families, German Royals

European Royals Gather in Oettingen, Germany, for the Funeral of H.S.H. Prince Albrecht of Oettingen-Spielberg.

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  • Photo courtesy of Schloss Oettingen/Fürst zu Oettingen-Spielberg

On Friday, November 28th, the funeral of His Serene Highness Prince Albrecht of Oettingen-Spielberg was held at Saint Jakob Church in Oettingen in Bayern, Germany. The Prince died unexpectedly on November 11 at the age of 74.

Members of European royal and grand-ducal houses were among those who traveled to Oettingen in Bayern for the funeral service. Attendees included His Royal Highness Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Luxembourg, His Royal Highness Duke Franz of Bavaria and Mr. Thomas Greinwald, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Ludwig and Princess Sophie Alexandra of Bavaria, Their Royal Highnesses Prince Luitpold and Princess Katrin of Bavaria, His Royal Highness Duke Max Emanuel of Bavaria, Their Highnesses Prince Hubertus and Princess Kelly of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, His Royal Highness Prince Christian of Hanover, His Grace The Duke of Northumberland, Ralph Percy, and Mr. Pierre Casiraghi. 

In his eulogy, Pastor Richard Hörmann described the late Prince Albrecht as a warm and approachable man who combined clarity and decisiveness in leadership with consistent kindness toward others. He noted the late prince’s lifelong curiosity, his ability to build and maintain personal connections, and the positive manner with which he carried out his responsibilities.

Born Albrecht Ernst Otto Joseph Maria Notger, Prince of Oettingen-Oettingen and Oettingen-Spielberg on February 7, 1951, in Munich, Germany, he was the son of Their Serene Highnesses Prince Alois and Princess Elisabeth (born Countess Elisabeth Gabriele zu Lynar) of Oettingen-Spielberg.

Following the death of his father, Prince Alois, on November 30, 1975, Prince Albrecht succeeded as Head of the Princely House of Oettingen-Spielberg, a role in which he served for five decades.

Throughout his life, the Prince received several orders and decorations, including the Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande and the Bayerischer Verdienstorden. He was also a member of the Hausorden vom Heiligen Georg and of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

The late Prince Albrecht is survived by his wife, Her Serene Highness Princess Angela of Oettingen-Spielberg, and their four children: His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Franz-Albrecht of Oettingen-Spielberg, Her Serene Highness Princess Theresa of Oettingen-Spielberg, Her Serene Highness Princess Antonia of Oettingen-Spielberg, and Her Serene Highness Princess Nora of Oettingen-Spielberg, as well as nine grandchildren.

Monaco Princely Family

Charlotte Casiraghi, daughter of Princess Caroline of Hanover, to publish Her First Solo Book, La Fêlure, in 2026

  • Photo courtesy of Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco
  • Book cover courtesy of Amazon France/Julliard

In Paris, it was announced that Ms. Charlotte Casiraghi, the eldest daughter of Princess Caroline of Hanover and the late Stefano Casiraghi, will release her first solo book, La fêlure, on January 29, 2026.

Ms. Casiraghi previously co-wrote a philosophical work in 2018 with her former philosophy teacher, Mr. Robert Maggiori, titled Archipel des Passions (Éditions du Seuil), in which they examined forty “passions”, from love and cruelty to admiration and ennui, through a series of literary dialogues.

In La fêlure, Ms. Casiraghi undertakes a literary and philosophical exploration of what it means to be “cracked” or fragile. According to the official synopsis, the book draws inspiration from the well-known short story The Crack-Up by F. Scott Fitzgerald and incorporates the work of writers, poets, and artists such as Ingeborg Bachmann, Colette, Marguerite Duras, Anna Akhmatova, the sailor Bernard Moitessier, and musician J. J. Cale.

Through these references, Ms. Casiraghi develops a sequence of reflections on the inner fracture, La fêlure, understood as a point of vulnerability that may also offer access to deeper insight.

The publisher, Éditions Julliard, describes the book as an “intimate literary inquiry” into “the line of flight that threatens us but may also offer our most sublime chance to grasp what moves through us when we live.”

If you are interested in reserving a copy of La fêlure, it is now available for pre-order through major French booksellers, including FNAC, Librest, and Amazon France.

French Royalty

T.R.H.s Prince Charles-Philippe and Princess Naomi d’Orléans Announce They Are Expecting Their First Child in 2026

Press release courtesy of T.R.H.s Prince Charles-Philippe and Princess Naomi d’Orléans/ducdanjou.com

On Friday, it was announced that Their Royal Highnesses Prince Charles-Philippe and Princess Naomi d’Orléans, Duke and Duchess of Anjou, are expecting their first child, due in the spring of 2026.

According to the official press release:
“Awaiting this blessed day, Their Royal Highnesses thank all those who will share in their joy and pray that this joyous time will be filled with peace and love. No further statements will be made at this time.”

The couple married on September 9, 2023, and divide their time between the Principality of Monaco and the South of France.

Prince Charles-Philippe d’Orléans, Duke of Anjou, is a member of the House of Orléans, a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. He is a direct descendant of King Louis-Philippe I, who reigned from 1830 to 1848 and was the last king of the French.

According to his official biography, Prince Charles-Philippe served for twelve years in the Infanterie de Marine, undertaking operational missions abroad and contributing to strategic planning and civil–military coordination. His military service laid the groundwork for subsequent responsibilities in institutional leadership and international development.

He holds a Master’s degree in Communication Institutionnelle from l’Université Paris-Sorbonne, as well as a second Master’s degree in Intelligence Économique from EISTI. His professional pursuits include founding a consultancy in economic intelligence and directing renewable-energy development projects in sub-Saharan Africa. He also serves as special advisor to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in relation to international development missions.

Culturally, Prince Charles-Philippe is the author of three historical novels and serves as President of the Prix littéraire Hugues Capet, an institution dedicated to the preservation and study of Capetian heritage. He previously served as Grand Maître of the Ordre Militaire et Hospitalier de Saint-Lazare de Jérusalem (2004–2010) and now holds the honorary dignity of Grand Maître émérite. He also serves as Grand Prieur de France within the Order.

Prince Charles-Philippe was previously married to Diana Álvares Pereira de Melo, the 11th Duchess of Cadaval. Together, they have one child, Her Royal Highness Princess Isabelle d’Orléans, born on February 22, 2012, in Portugal. The Princess’s godparents are His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain and Princess Dora Loewenstein.

Princess Naomi d’Orléans, Duchess of Anjou, was born Naomi-Valeska Salz in 1981 to Wolfgang and Karola Salz. The Princess holds a Master’s degree in Economics, as noted in her official biography, and has pursued a professional career in economic strategy and consultancy. Prior to her marriage to Prince Charles-Philippe, she was married to the German fashion designer Otto Kern, who died in 2017.

Since her marriage to Prince Charles-Philippe, Princess Naomi has undertaken public duties alongside the Prince, contributing to cultural, charitable, and representational activities associated with the Orléans branch of the historic Capetian dynasty.

German Princely Families

H.S.H. Prince Albrecht of Oettingen-Spielberg Dies at 74

Photo courtesy of Fürst zu Oettingen-Spielberg/Schloss Oettingen

On Friday, the Princely House of Oettingen-Spielberg announced that His Serene Highness Prince Albrecht of Oettingen-Spielberg passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.  He was 74 years old.

Per the press release:

“With utmost discipline, sense of responsibility, incredible dedication, and generosity, the Prince successfully led the House of Oettingen-Spielberg for 50 years. He always referred to his company and all its employees as his extended family. His warmth and openness will remain with us forever.”

Born Albrecht Ernst Otto Joseph Maria Notger, Prince of Oettingen-Oettingen and Oettingen-Spielberg on February 7, 1951, in Munich, Germany, to Their Serene Highnesses Prince Alois and Princess Elisabeth (born Countess Elisabeth Gabriele zu Lynar) of Oettingen-Spielberg.

Following the death of his father, Prince Alois, on November 30, 1975, Prince Albrecht succeeded as Head of the Princely House of Oettingen-Spielberg, a role in which he served for five decades.

Throughout his life, Prince Albrecht received several orders and decorations, including the Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande and the Bayerischer Verdienstorden. He was also a member of the Hausorden vom Heiligen Georg and of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

The late Prince Albrecht leaves behind his wife, Her Serene Highness Princess Angela of Oettingen-Spielberg, and four children: His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Franz-Albrecht of Oettingen-Spielberg, Her Serene Highness Princess Theresa of Oettingen-Spielberg, Her Serene Highness Princess Antonia of Oettingen-Spielberg, and Her Serene Highness Princess Nora of Oettingen-Spielberg.

The late Prince also leaves behind nine grandchildren.

With the passing of Prince Albrecht on Tuesday, His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Franz-Albrecht now becomes the Head of the Princely House of Oettingen-Spielberg.

  • (L) T.S.H.s Hereditary Prince Franz-Albrecht and Hereditary Princess Cleo of Oettingen-Spielberg. (R) T.S.H.s Prince Albrecht and Princess Angela of Oettingen-Spielberg
  • H.S.H. Prince Albrecht of Oettingen-Spielberg
  • H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Franz Albrecht of Oettingen-Spielberg.
  • H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Franz Albrecht of Oettingen-Spielberg at Schloss Berleburg, June 4, 2022.