Ernst-Johann Biron, Prince of Courland
Ernst-Johann Karl Oskar Eitel-Friedrich Peter Burchard, Prince Biron von Courland (born 6 August 1940)[1] is the senior male-line descendant of Ernst Johann von Biron, and as such heir to the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia.
| Ernst-Johann | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Biron von Courland | |||||
| Born | 6 August 1940 Berlin, Prussia, Germany | ||||
| Spouse | Countess Elisabeth Victoria Raimonda zu Ysenburg-Büdingen zu Philippseich | ||||
| Issue | Princess Anja Princess Christiana | ||||
| |||||
| House | Biron | ||||
| Father | Karl, Prince Biron von Courland | ||||
| Mother | Princess Herzeleide of Prussia | ||||
| Religion | Protestantism | ||||
He was born in Berlin, the eldest son of Karl, Prince Biron of Courland (1907-1982), and Princess Herzeleide of Prussia (1918-1989), the daughter of Prince Oskar of Prussia (a son of Emperor William II) and Augusta Viktoria of Schleswig-Holstein.[1]
Prince Ernst-Johann succeeded his father as head of the Biron family following his death on 28 February 1982. He is also a Knight of Justice (and, since 2008, an honorary commander in the Commandery of Silesia) of the Johanniterorden ("Johannine Order"), to which he was admitted in 1940 and whose grand master is his cousin Prince Oskar of Prussia (Prince Ernst-Johann's uncles and grandfather had headed the Order throughout most of the twentieth century).[2] He is in line to the British throne through his descent from Queen Victoria's daughter, Victoria, Princess Royal.
Private life
Prince Ernst-Johann was married to Countess Elisabeth zu Ysenburg-Büdingen in Philippseich (born 1941) in Munich in a civil ceremony on 14 August 1967, and in a religious one the next day.[1]
The couple have two adopted daughters:
- Anja Prinzessin Biron von Curland (born 25 January 1975).
- Christiana Prinzessin Biron von Curland (born 23 May 1977).
Ancestry
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References
- Montgomery-Massingberd, Hugh (editor). Burke's Guide to the Royal Family, Burke's Peerage, London, 1973, pp. 300, 302. ISBN 978-0-220-66222-6
- Verzeichnis der Mitglieder der Balley Brandenburg des Ritterlichen Ordens St. Johannis vom Spital zu Jerusalem; Berlin: October, 2011; page 500.
Ernst-Johann Biron, Prince of Courland House of Biron Born: August 6 1940 | ||
| Titles in pretence | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Karl, Prince Biron von Courland |
— TITULAR — Duke of Courland 1982- Reason for succession failure: Duchy incorporated into Russian Empire in 1795 |
Incumbent Heir: Prince Michael Biron of Courland |
| British royalty | ||
| Preceded by Princess Donata of Prussia |
Line of succession to the British Throne descended from Victoria, Princess Royal, daughter of Queen Victoria |
Succeeded by Prince Michael Biron of Courland |