Karl Friedrich, Prince of Hohenzollern

Karl Friedrich, Prince of Hohenzollern (born 20 April 1952) is the eldest son of the late Friedrich Wilhelm, Prince of Hohenzollern and Princess Margarita of Leiningen.[1] He became head of the House of Hohenzollern, the Roman Catholic Swabian branch of the dynasty, upon his father's death on 16 September 2010.[1]

Karl Friedrich
Prince of Hohenzollern
Head of the House of Hohenzollern
Tenure16 September 2010 – present
PredecessorPrince Friedrich Wilhelm
Heir-ApparentPrince Alexander
Born (1952-04-20) 20 April 1952
Sigmaringen, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany
SpouseCountess Alexandra Schenck von Stauffenberg
Katharina Maria de Zomer
IssueAlexander, Hereditary Prince of Hohenzollern
Princess Philippa
Princess Flaminia
Princess Antonia
Full name
German: Karl Friedrich Emich Meinrad Benedikt Fidelis Maria Michael Gerold
HouseHohenzollern-Sigmaringen
FatherFriedrich Wilhelm, Prince of Hohenzollern
MotherPrincess Margarita of Leiningen

Education and career

The prince read business administration at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.

He is the chairman and sole owner of Unternehmensgruppe Fürst von Hohenzollern (Corporate Group Prince of Hohenzollern),[1] including real estate and forests with 400 employees, and owns a 50% share in the Zollern GmbH und Co. KG (steelworks, transmission technics) with 2800 employees. The Prince himself is voice, saxophonist and leader of the music band Royal Groovin'.

According to the suspended 1938 Constitution of Romania, Karl Friedrich is heir to the throne since 2017, upon the death of former King Michael. However, in a 2009 interview, he stated that he had no interest in the Romanian throne.[2]

Marriage and children

He married Countess Alexandra Schenck von Stauffenberg on 17 May 1985 in the Beuron Archabbey, Baden-Württemberg. They were divorced on 21 January 2010, in Sigmaringen.[1] They have four children:[1]

  • Alexander Friedrich Antonius Johannes, Hereditary Prince of Hohenzollern (b. 16 March 1987)
  • Princess Philippa Marie Carolina Isabelle of Hohenzollern (b. 2 November 1988)
  • Princess Flaminia Pia Eilika Stephanie of Hohenzollern (b. 9 January 1992), married Baron Károly von Stipsicz de Ternova (b. 13 June 1990)
  • Princess Antonia Elisabeth Georgina Tatiana of Hohenzollern (b. 22 June 1995)

On 17 July 2010 Karl Friedrich married for the second time with Katharina Maria "Nina" de Zomer (born 1959).

Residences

The prince lives on his hunting estate Josefslust House, whereas the nearby hunting lodge is used by his brother Albrecht (born 1954) and the nearby Krauchenwies estate by his divorced wife, Princess Alexandra. Furthermore, he owns Umkirch Castle and, as head of the princely Sigmaringen branch of the house of Hohenzollern, has a 1/3 ownership share in Hohenzollern Castle, together with the head of the royal branch, Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia.

He has his offices at Sigmaringen Castle which is also open to the public and is used for family weddings and other ceremonial occasions.

Titles, styles and honours

Titles and styles

  • 20 April 1952 – 6 February 1965: His Serene Highness Prince Karl Friedrich of Hohenzollern
  • 6 February 1965 – 16 September 2010: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Hohenzollern
  • 16 September 2010 – present: His Highness The Prince of Hohenzollern[3]

Dynastic honours

[5]

Ancestry

Discography

  • Jive and Candies (2003, Charly and the Jivemates)[6]
  • Jump for Joy (2007, Charly and the Jivemates)[7]
  • Just Friends (2010, with Frieder Berlin Trio)[8]

References

Karl Friedrich, Prince of Hohenzollern
House of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen
Cadet branch of the House of Hohenzollern
Born: 20 April 1952
German nobility
Preceded by
Prince Friedrich Wilhelm
Prince of Hohenzollern
16 September 2010 – present
Incumbent
Heir:
Prince Alexander
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