Alexis, Prince of Bentheim and Steinfurt


Alexis Carl Ernst Louis Ferdinand Eugen Bernhard, Prince of Bentheim and Steinfurt was a Lieutenant General, statesman, and the Prince of Bentheim and Steinfurt from 28 September 1890 to 21 January 1919.

Biography

Early life

Alexis was born in Burgsteinfurt, Kingdom of Prussia on 17 November 1845 and was the fourth child and eldest son of Ludwig Wilhelm, Prince of Bentheim and Steinfurt and his wife Landgravine Bertha of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld. Alexis was a brother of Adelheid, Landgravine Wilhelm of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, Juliane, Landgravine Wilhelm of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld, Marie, Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein, Prince Karl of Bentheim and Steinfurt, and Prince Georg of Bentheim and Steinfurt.

Education and military career

Alexis attended high school in Burgsteinfurt and attended university at the University of Bonn, where he was a member of the Corps Borussia Bonn. In 1866, Alexis was a Lieutenant in the Hanoverian Guards Hussars Regiment and in 1868, he was transferred to the Hussars Regiment No. 7. In 1873, he advanced to First Lieutenant and then to Rittmeister in the Regiment der Gardes du Corps in 1875. In 1884, Alexis advanced to Major à la suite in the Army. In 1892 Alexis was made Lieutenant Colonel, then Colonel in 1895, and Major General in 1899. In 1902, he was awarded the uniform of the Regiment der Garde du Corps Lieutenant General.

Political career

Alexis succeeded his father Ludwig Wilhelm to the headship of the Princely House of Bentheim and Steinfurt. As such, he became a hereditary member of the Prussian House of Lords and the Württembergian Chamber of Lords.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles

Alexis married Princess Pauline of Waldeck and Pyrmont, second child and daughter of George Victor, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont and his first wife Princess Helena of Nassau, on 7 May 1881 in Arolsen, Principality of Waldeck and Pyrmont. Alexis and Pauline had eight children: