Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg

Death of Richard, 6th Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg

Very sad news out of Denmark this morning- Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, husband of Princess Bendikte of Denmark, sister of Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Queen Anne Marie of Greece, died suddenly last night at Berleburg Castle in Germany. He was 82. Born in 1934, the eldest son of Gustav Albrecht, 5th Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Swedish-born Margareta Fouché d’Otrante, Princess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, his father went missing in 1944, but since he had bequeathed everything to his eldest grandson, he wasn’t declared dead until 1969. He studied Forest Science at the University of Munich, and at a couple of other German universities. In 1968, Prince Richard married Princess Bendikte of Denmark, daughter of King Frederick and Queen Ingrid. The couple had three children, Hereditary Prince Gustav (now 7th Prince of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg), Princess Alexandra, and Princess Nathalie. The couple lived at Berleburg Castle in Germany, where Prince Richard was involved in several conservation schemes on his extensive estates. Unlike Princess Bendikte, he did not undertake official duties, but instead accompanied her to some special royal events. My condolences to his family on this difficult time. May he rest in peace.

UPDATE- Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim, and Princess Marie will represent Denmark at the funeral at the Evangelische Stadtkirche in Bad Berleburg, Germany on March 21st. King Constantine and Queen Anne Marie of Greece will also probably attend. Queen Silvia and Princess Madeleine will represent Sweden, while Princess Martha Louise will represent the Norwegian Royal Family. King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands are also reported to be attending.