Prince Ernst August of Lippe


Prince Ernst August of Lippe was a claimant to the headship of the House of Lippe. Between 1950 and 1954 he was the president of the Vespa Club of Germany.

Early life

Prince Ernst August was born at Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony, the second child and first son of Prince Julius Ernst of Lippe and his wife, Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Through his father he was first cousin of Prince Bernhard, consort to Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, and was a guest at their 1937 wedding. Through his mother he was descendant of George III of the United Kingdom.
He had two half siblings; his mother had been married previously to Count George Jametel but divorced in 1908.

Marriage

Ernst August married on 3 March 1948 in Bonn-Oberkassel to Christa von Arnim, elder daughter of Curt David von Arnim, and his wife, Stephanie von Stechow.
They had four children:
On 30 December 1949 his first cousin Prince Armin succeeded his father Leopold IV as head of the House of Lippe. On 22 March 1953, he renounced his position in favour of his older half brother Prince Leopold. This move proved controversial within the house and several princes started legal proceedings. Prince Leopold later in 1958 renounced the headship in favour of his older brother Hereditary Prince Ernst. Later that year the Hereditary Prince called a family council where it was agreed by the princes in attendance that the oldest prince living in Germany would be head of the house. So the position was taken by Prince Simon Casimir.
Prince Ernst August changed his mind, believing all princes of the house, not just those living in Germany, should be considered. He ultimately assumed the headship of the house. Ernst August died in 1990 and his son Prince Friedrich Wilhelm has continued his claim. Prince Armin, who has said he did not think his decision in 1953 was irrevocable, also claims to be head of the house.
Prince Ernst August grew up and lived at Lippe House in Oberkassel, Bonn, which had been home to the Lippe-Biesterfeld family for the past 209 years. In 1970 he also acquired Syburg castle at Bergen, Middle Franconia, which however he was forced to auction in 1977, followed by the sale of Lippe House in 1979.

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