So sad to read this morning about the death of Dr Armin Prinz zur Lippe, head of the Princely House of Lippe. He died in Detmold on 20 August 2015 after a short, serious illness. He was born on 18 August 1924 as son of the last reigning prince of Lippe, Fürst Leopold IV, and his second wife Princess Anna zu Ysenburg und Büdingen.
A statement by the family said he was the last surviving son of a ruling German Prince, that is someone who actually ruled before the end of the monarchy in November 1918. A friend of mine pointed out that the head of the Ducal Family of Anhalt is also a son of someone who was officially the ruler, but in this case the father wasn’t yet 18 and thus a minor when he was the Duke, and ruled under regency.
Prince Armin’s father died in 1949 and had appointed his youngest son Armin as the heir. Four years later Armin married Traute Becker. The couple had one son, Stephan, who will be the new head of the house. Prince Stephan is married to Countess Maria zu Solms-Laubach and has three sons and two daughters.
Prince Armin studied natural science at the university of Göttingen. He met his wife during that time. She studied biology.
He was very much involved in the life in the old Principality of Lippe and the heritage of the Lippe family. His family also remained in touch with their Dutch relatives, Armin being a full cousin of Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. Armin was one of the bridal children when in 1937 Bernhard married Princess Juliana of the Netherlands.
Two years ago I wrote a piece on the Diamond Wedding Anniversary of him and his wife. I also attended his 80th birthday reception in 2004.
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