Sizzo | |
---|---|
Prince of Schwarzburg | |
Born |
Rudolstadt, Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt |
3 June 1860
Died | 24 March 1926 Großharthau, Weimar Republic |
(aged 65)
Spouse | Princess Alexandra of Anhalt |
Issue |
Marie Antoinette, Countess of Solms Wildenfels Princess Irene Friedrich Günther, Prince of Schwarzburg |
House | House of Schwarzburg |
Father | Friedrich Günther, Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt |
Mother | Countess Helene von Raina |
Günther Sizzo, Prince of Schwarzburg (3 June 1860 – 24 March 1926) was the head of the House of Schwarzburg and pretender to the principalities of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen.
He was born in Rudolstadt as the son of the reigning Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Friedrich Günther, and his second wife, Countess Helene von Raina. She died three days after giving birth to Prince Sizzo and his twin sister, Princess Helene. The mother of Prince Sizzo was the daughter of Prince George Bernhard of Anhalt-Dessau by his morganatic wife, Therese Emma von Erdmannsdorf.
Although Prince Sizzo's mother had been adopted by her uncle Prince Wilhelm of Anhalt and given the title of Princess of Anhalt on August 1, 1855, by the reigning Duke of Anhalt-Dessau, the marriage of his parents was still considered morganatic. Because of this, Prince Sizzo was not entitled to use the title of Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt. Instead, he was created Prince of Leutenberg on June 21, 1860. In spite of being denied the use of the title of Prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Prince Sizzo was granted succession rights to the principality of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt in the event of the extinction of all male dynasts. Although all members of the Rudolstadt branch consented to this, the members of the Sondershausen branch did not, and they also held rights to Rudolstadt.
On April 21, 1896, Prince Sizzo's succession rights were recognised by all members of the House of Schwarzburg. In addition, he was made a full member of the house and able to use the title of Prince of Schwarzburg. Following the agreement, Prince Sizzo became the heir presumptive of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, ahead of the Sondershausen princes, and third in line to Schwarzburg-Sondershausen behind the reigning prince of Rudolstadt, Prince Günther Victor, who was second and the brother of the reigning prince of Schwarzburg-Sonderhausen, Leopold, who was first.