Tag Archives: German royal families

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.
German Royals, Royal documentaries

A Documentary About Burg Hohenzollern: A Modest Home in Germany

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Ah, Burg Hohenzollern.  What a magnificent castle!

Located south of Stuttgart, Germany, this modest pad is the family seat for the House of Hohenzollern.  Per the official site of the castle:

The first personal related reference of the Hohenzollern House dates back to 1061 (“Wezil et Burchardus de Zolorin”). First direct mention of the Castle complex (“Castro Zolre”) was in 1267. Appearance, size and furnishing of the original Castle are unknown, but presumably it was in the first decade of the 11th century. At that time it must have been a vast and artistically valuable furnished complex. Contemporary sources praised it as “Crown of all Castles in Swabia” and as “the most fortified House in Germany”. However in 1423, the Castle was completely destroyed.

From 1454 the second Hohenzollern Castle was constructed bigger and even more fortified than before. Later, during the Thirty Years War, the Castle was converted into a fortress with repeatedly changing owners. Since the maintenance of the building was neglected, it dilapidated and turned into ruins at the beginning of the 19th century.

In 1819 Crown Prince Frederick William of Prussia decided to have the ancestral seat of the Hohenzollern House reconstructed. In 1844, being King Frederick William IV, he wrote in a letter: “The memories of the year 1819 are exceedingly dear to me and like a pleasant dream, it was especially the sunset we watched from one of the Castle bastions, … now this adolescent dream turned into the wish to make the Hohenzollern Castle habitable again…”

From 1850 he put his long lasting dream into reality and created one of Germany’s most imposing Castle complexes in a neo-Gothic style. With its many towers and fortifications, it is an acclaimed masterpiece of military architecture in the 19th century. Additional civil architectural elements make it to a unique attraction. The location on the most beautiful mountain in Swabia, gives the Castle a picturesque appearance.

Any way, I recently found an interesting documentary on You Tube, from 1992, which discusses the brilliant history and construction of this magnificent castle.

So, sit back, relax and enjoy!    🙂

Part One, Part Two, and Part Three

Source: Burg Hohenzollern