Prince Nikolaus, Duke of Paley
 His Royal Highness Prince Nikolaus of Altec | ||
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His Royal Highness Prince Nikolaus, Duke of Paley (Nikolaus Ernest Johann Eitel Ludwig Georg), styled HRH The Duke of Paley , born 25 April, 1895, is the second suriviving son of King Philipp II and his wife, Lady Elisabeth Bauer. He was born at Schloss Ottosbrun, his parents' primary residence.
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Biography
His Highness Prince Nikolaus of Altec was born at Schloss Ottosbrun, his parents' primary residence, on April 25, 1895. He was the second living son of his father, then Duke of Altec. A sister, Sophie, had died three years before his birth, and two other siblings, both older, Gabriella and Adalbert, had died shortly after birth. His only surviving sibling was his older brother, Prince Rupprecht. As the great-nephew of the reigning monarch, Prince Nikolaus was styled His Highness at birth. He was christened in the royal chapel of St. Rudolf's Cathedral on May 17, 1895.
Rupprecht and Nikolaus were joined by another younger brother, Theodor in 1898. The three brothers were close, and both Rupprecht and Nikolaus were devastated when Theodor died in 1903 of diphtheria. In 1905, King Adalbert elevated Nikolaus and Rupprecht to the status of Royal Highness.
Nikolaus was educated Royal Military Academy of Alessandri, beginning in the fall term of 1903, soon after his eighth birthday. He graduated in 1907 as first in his class of 371 pupils, and went on to study at the Royal Naval College, again graduating first, in a class of 215 students in 1913. As first in his class, Nikolaus was nominated to become Honorary Commander of the Kriegsmarine, which he achieved in 1927.
In 1910, his great-uncle, Adalbert VIII died, and his father acended the throne as King Philipp II. Rupprecht and Nikolaus reverted to Princes of Alessandri. Four days before his marriage, Nikolaus was given the ducal title of 'Duke of Paley.
Marriage & Family
Prince Nikolaus married Lady Catherine Hausenbeck on November 15, 1920 in the Royal Chapel of St. Rudolf's Cathedral. As with his elder brother, the newlyweds spent their first three months of marriage in a wing of the Neues Palais before moving to Schloss Ehrenburg.
The Duke and Duchess have four children:
- HH Princess Marie Elise of Paley
- HRH Prince Paul Eugen of Paley
- HH Princess Marie Christine of Paley
- HH Princess Marie Alexandra of Paley
Prince Nikolaus is currently fourth in line to the throne, following his brother and nephews. Because his son holds a
Titles
- His Highness The Prince Nikolaus (25 April, 1895 - 17 May, 1895)
- His Highness Prince Nikolaus of Altec (17 May, 1895 - 19 May, 1905)
- His Royal Highness Prince Nikolaus of Altec (19 May, 1905 - 7 October, 1910)
- His Royal Highness The Prince Nikolaus (7 October, 1910 - 11 November, 1920)
- His Royal Highness The Duke of Paley (11 November, 1920 - present)
See also
| Preceded by: Franz Hubert Griezmach |
Honorary Commander of the Kriegsmarine 1927- |
Followed by: current incumbent |
| Preceded by: The Duke of Iksander |
Line of succession to the Alessandrian Throne 1905– |
Followed by: Prince Paul Eugen of Paley |
