Luitpold | |
---|---|
Prince Regent of Bavaria | |
Regency | 10 June 1886 – 12 December 1912 |
Born |
Würzburg |
12 March 1821
Died | 12 December 1912 Munich, Bavaria |
(aged 91)
Burial | Theatinerkirche, Munich, Bavaria |
Spouse | Archduchess Augusta of Austria |
Issue |
Ludwig III Prince Leopold Princess Theresa of Bavaria Prince Arnulf |
House | Wittelsbach |
Father | Ludwig I, King of Bavaria |
Mother | Duchess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen |
Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria (German: Prinzregent Luitpold Karl Joseph Wilhelm Ludwig von Bayern) (12 March 1821 – 12 December 1912), was the de facto ruler of Bavaria from 1886 to 1912, due to the incapacity of his nephews, King Ludwig II for three days and King Otto for 26 years.
Luitpold was born in Würzburg, the third son of King Ludwig I of Bavaria and his wife, Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. He was the younger brother of King Maximilian II of Bavaria and of King Otto of Greece. Luitpold was in line to succeed to the throne of the Kingdom of Bavaria, and was also heir presumptive to the throne of Greece, since his brother Otto had no children. However, the Greek law of succession required that Otto's heir should belong to the Greek Orthodox Church. Otto was deposed in 1862 and replaced by Prince William of Denmark, who became George I, King of the Hellenes. Otto died in 1867, leaving Luitpold and his descendants as representatives of Otto's claim. However, Luitpold never pursued that claim.
At the age of fourteen Luitpold joined the Bavarian Army and was promoted Captain of the Artillery in 1835. During the revolutions of 1848 Prince Luitpold mediated and facilitated an audience of discontented citizens with his father. During the rule of his brother Maximilian II (1848–64), Luitpold did not play a significant political role.