A few weeks ago, Ernst August from Hannover was in the news – indirectly. His youngest son, Prince Christian of Hanover, became a father for the third time. Married to Princess Alessandra de Osma since 2020, they were already the happy parents of twins named Nicolás and Sofia. Great news for the chef of Maison Hanover, who has shown himself in public to be a real grandpa for the twins. Seen in the streets of Madrid, the man who celebrated his 70th birthday this Monday, February 26, tenderly rocked his grandson, under the tender eyes of his parents. A new life in Madrid, far from controversies and tabloid newspapers…
It must be said that the German prince’s troubles with the law began very early. At just 15 years old, he made the headlines for having his motorcycle license revoked following an accident. At this same period, he abandoned school as reported by our colleagues from Vanitatispretending more concerned with the night, its parties and its excesses. During the Hanover World Fair in 2000, he was even photographed urinating in public on the facade of the Turkish pavilion… which provoked the ire of the government in question. Not to mention that he tried to attack the owner of a hotel located near his summer residence on the island of Lamu, in Kenya, who was upset by the loud music at the nightclub. But the most resounding case dates from 2021, in Austria, when he was sentenced to ten months in prison for injuring a police officer while drunk and threatening another with a baseball bat.
Family tensions, health problems and… redemption?
His emotional and family life also experiences many torments. In 1981, breaking with tradition Ernst August of Hanover married Chantal Hochuli, a rich heiress of a billionaire Swiss architect but without blue blood. Two children were born from this union: Ernest August Jr in 1983 and Christian two years later. He married his second wife Caroline of Monaco in January 1999. A few months later, a little Alexandra was born. Their relationship ended in 2008, but the couple did not divorce. If relations with his younger son are good, with his eldest, relations are very tense. With the man who married Russian model and businesswoman Ekaterina Malysheva in 2017, he is at open war. The head of the House of Hanover sued his eldest son and hereditary prince to obtain, in particular, the restitution of Marienburg Castle as well as other property. A complaint dismissed in 2022.
A trying period for the head of the family who would also face a very delicate financial situation according to the German press. Not to mention his regular health problems. Acute pancreatitis and coma in 2005, abdominal infection and hospitalization in 2011 or even inflammation of the pancreas and emergency operation in 2018. But fortunately, the numerous storms gave way to some clearings. Spending more peaceful days in Spain, not far from his youngest son and his three grandchildren, Ernst August of Hanover seems to have found peace. Long a subscriber to escapades, the head of House Hanover remains discreet. And when he is seen, it is in a much more favorable light. Particularly since the summer of 2021, and his meeting with the Spanish artist Claudia Stilianopoulos. She became his best support, a confidante he could count on.
Photo credits: Europa Press / Bestimage