Ernst August von Hannover (born 1954) facts for kids

Ernst August von Hanover was born on February 26, 1954. He is the current head of the House of Hanover. This royal family once ruled in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1714 to 1901. They also ruled the Kingdom of Hanover and the Duchy of Brunswick.

Ernst August is married to Princess Caroline of Monaco. This makes him the brother-in-law of Albert II, Prince of Monaco, who is the current ruler of Monaco.

Education and Early Life

Ernst August was born in Hanover, Germany. He is the oldest son of Prince Ernest Augustus of Hanover. His mother was Princess Ortrud of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg.

He left high school when he was 15 years old to work on a farm. Later, he went back to school. He studied at the Royal Agricultural College in England. He also studied at the University of Guelph in Canada.

Royal Ancestry and Titles

As the oldest male descendant of George III of the United Kingdom, Ernst August is the head of the House of Hanover. He is also a cousin to Queen Sofía of Spain and King Constantine II of the Hellenes.

His family has a special connection to British titles. His father and his father's siblings were recognized as "Prince of Great Britain and Ireland" in 1914. After 1918, German noble titles became part of a person's last name. So, the British princely title became part of his family's last name in their German passports.

Ernst August also has British citizenship. His father successfully claimed it under an old law from 1705. Because of this, Ernst August and his children are British citizens.

Family Life

Ernst August has been married twice. His first marriage was to Chantal Hochuli. They got married in 1981. They had two sons together: Prince Ernst August (born 1983) and Prince Christian (born 1985). Ernst August and Chantal Hochuli divorced in 1997.

In 1999, Ernst August married Princess Caroline of Monaco. At the time, Princess Caroline was expecting their daughter. Their daughter, Princess Alexandra, was born in 1999.

For their marriage to be official, they needed special permissions. Ernst August needed permission under a British law about royal marriages. Princess Caroline also needed her father's approval. Her father was Prince Rainier III, the ruler of Monaco. This was important for her to keep her place in the line to the Monaco throne.

After they married, Ernst August and Caroline lived in France. Later, in 2009, it was reported that Princess Caroline had moved back to Monaco.

Health Information

In April 2005, Ernst August was admitted to the hospital. He was in a serious condition for a few days. He later recovered and was seen in public with his wife.

He had another health issue in February 2019. He had emergency surgery. He has since been seen in public.

Titles and Arms

In Germany, old royal titles became part of a person's last name in 1919. They no longer give special legal privileges.

Family Symbols

Arms of Prince Ernst and Princess Caroline of Hanover

Cypher of Prince Ernst and Princess Caroline

See also

In Spanish: Ernesto Augusto de Hannover (1954) para niños