Karl Friedrich, Prince of Hohenzollern
Karl Friedrich, Prince of Hohenzollern
Karl Friedrich | |||||
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Prince of Hohenzollern | |||||
Head of the Princely House of Hohenzollern | |||||
Tenure | 16 September 2010 – present | ||||
Predecessor | Prince Friedrich Wilhelm | ||||
Heir-Apparent | Prince Alexander | ||||
Born | (1952-04-20)20 April 1952 Sigmaringen, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany | ||||
Spouse | Countess Alexandra Schenck von Stauffenberg Katharina Maria de Zomer | ||||
Issue | Alexander, Hereditary Prince of Hohenzollern Princess Philippa Princess Flaminia Princess Antonia | ||||
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House | Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen | ||||
Father | Friedrich Wilhelm, Prince of Hohenzollern | ||||
Mother | Princess Margarita of Leiningen | ||||
Full name | |||||
German: Karl Friedrich Emich Meinrad Benedikt Fidelis Maria Michael Gerold |
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 Princely 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 Princely House of Hohenzollern | |||||
Tenure | 16 September 2010 – present | ||||
Predecessor | Prince Friedrich Wilhelm | ||||
Heir-Apparent | Prince Alexander | ||||
Born | (1952-04-20)20 April 1952 Sigmaringen, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany | ||||
Spouse | Countess Alexandra Schenck von Stauffenberg Katharina Maria de Zomer | ||||
Issue | Alexander, Hereditary Prince of Hohenzollern Princess Philippa Princess Flaminia Princess Antonia | ||||
| |||||
House | Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen | ||||
Father | Friedrich Wilhelm, Prince of Hohenzollern | ||||
Mother | Princess Margarita of Leiningen | ||||
Full name | |||||
German: Karl Friedrich Emich Meinrad Benedikt Fidelis Maria Michael Gerold |
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
Sigmaringen Castle
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)
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.
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
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 Royal Highness The Prince of Hohenzollern