His Highness Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg has died at the age of 82. This was announced Tuesday morning by the Danish Royal Court. His Highness Prince Richard Casimir Karl August Robert Konstantin was the 6th Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. He was born 29 October 1934 in Giessen, Germany and had been the head of the House of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg since the death of his father in 1969. He is the husband of Princess Benedikte of Denmark, the younger sister of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.
The press release, which has been published, says: It is with great sadness that I on behalf of Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte must announce that His Highness Prince Richard has passed away. His Highness died suddenly at the castle Berleburg yesterday evening, Monday 13 March. Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte has travelled back home to Berleburg Tuesday morning after a short stay in Denmark.
Princess Benedikte and Prince Richard. Photo: Dutch National Archives via Wikimedia Commons.
Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte, age 72, has been in Denmark for most of the last week and throughout the weekend, because she has been on official duties for the Danish monarchy. The Princess participated in the opening of the Copenhagen International School and met with the Girl Scout’s Confederation in Copenhagen. She also participated in the Danish Warmblood Stallion Show from last Friday to Sunday.
Berleburg Schloss is a castle in the town of Bad Berleburg in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. Photo: Kurt Wichmann via Wikimedia Commons.
His Highness was the head of the family business, which owns more than 13,000 hectares of land and has ownership in a number of firms. Prince Richard is seated at the family castle, Schloss Berleburg. Together, Princess Benedikte and Prince Richard have three children. Prince Richard was appointed Knight of the Elephant Order in 1968.
Very sad about the prince passing, but it should be noted he was a Highness and not a Royal Highness.
Yes, he was His Serene Highness by courtesy title or His Highness, but never Royal Highness.
I was very sad to read of Prince Richard’s passing. By all accounts he was an excellent husband and devoted father. May he rest in peace.
Prince Richard’s father, Gustav Albrecht, 5th Prince of S-W-B, died in June 1944 while serving in the German Army in Belarus on the Russian Front during WWII. Officially, he was Missing in Action until his family had him declared dead in 1969, after the birth of Prince Richard’s first son.