Albert, 8th Prince of Thurn and Taxis


Albert Maria Joseph Maximilian Lamoral, 8th Prince of Thurn and Taxis was the eighth Prince of Thurn and Taxis and Head of the Princely House of Thurn and Taxis from 2 June 1885 until his death on 22 January 1952.

Early life

Albert was born at Regensburg, Germany, the younger son of Maximilian Anton Lamoral, Hereditary Prince of Thurn and Taxis and Duchess Helene in Bavaria. His father died when he was less than two months old, and he was raised by his mother.

Succession

In 1871 Albert's grandfather Maximilian Karl died, and his older brother Maximilian Maria succeeded as Fürst. Maxmilian died 2 June 1885 and Albert succeeded as Fürst; his mother served as regent until his 21st birthday in 1888. On 8 May 1889 he was named Duke of Wörth and Donaustauf by Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria. On 30 November 1889 he was made a knight of the Austrian Order of the Golden Fleece.

Marriage and issue

On 15 July 1890 in Budapest, Hungary, Albert married Archduchess Margarethe Klementine of Austria, daughter of Archduke Joseph Karl of Austria. Albert purchased the 'Empress Eugenie Tiara' as a wedding present for Margarethe; the tiara, designed by Gabriel Lemmonier in 1853, was part of the French crown jewels and is now in the Louvre in Paris.
Albert and Margarethe had eight children:
Albert died at Regensburg where he is buried with his wife in the crypt chapel of Schloss St. Emmeram, formerly St. Emmeram's Abbey.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles