Princess Eleonore of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich

Eleonore of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich (Eleonore Ernestine Marie; 17 September 1871 – 16 November 1937) was Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine as the second wife of Grand Duke Ernest Louis. She was nicknamed "Onor" by her family. She was regent of Hesse in the absence of her spouse during World War I.[1]

Eleonore of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich
Grand Duchess Eleonore in 1905
Grand Duchess consort of Hesse and by Rhine
Tenure2 February 1905 – 9 November 1918
Born(1871-09-17)17 September 1871
Lich, Grand Duchy of Hesse, German Empire
Died16 November 1937(1937-11-16) (aged 66)
Steene near Ostend, Belgium
Burial
Spouse
(m. 1905; died 1937)
Issue
Names
Eleonore Ernestine Marie
HouseSolms-Hohensolms-Lich
FatherHermann, Prince of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich
MotherCountess Agnes of Stolberg-Wernigerode

Biography

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Family

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She was the fourth child and second daughter of Prince Hermann of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich and Countess Agnes of Stolberg-Wernigerode.

Grand Duchess of Hesse

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Royal Monogram of Princess Eleonore

Eleonore married Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse in Darmstadt on 2 February 1905. By marriage, she became Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine. As Grand Duchess, she took over the sponsor- and leadership of a number of charity organizations previously managed by her mother-in-law.

When her spouse left to join the First world war in 1914, she was appointed to serve the affairs of state as regent in his absence. She was regarded as a competent regent. She equipped a hospital train to the front.

The Hesse monarchy was abolished in 1918. Eleonore continued to manage her charitable programs after the introduction of democracy.

Death

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Eleonore died in an airplane crash on her way to her son Louis' wedding in London. Also killed in the crash was her elder son Georg Donatus, Hereditary Grand Duke of Hesse, his wife Princess Cecilie of Greece and Denmark, and their two sons, Ludwig and Alexander.[citation needed] The remains of their stillborn son was also found in the wreckage.

Orders and decorations

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Issue

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Eleonore and Ernest Louis had two sons:

Ancestry

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Notes

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  1. ^ Manfred Knodt: Die Regenten von Hessen-Darmstadt. 1. Auflage. Schlapp, Darmstadt 1976, ISBN 3-87704-004-7
  2. ^ "Rettungsmedaille am Bande", Königlich Preussische Ordensliste (supp.) (in German), vol. 1, Berlin, 1886, p. 263 – via hathitrust.org{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ Großherzoglich Hessische Ordensliste (in German), Darmstadt: Staatsverlag, 1914, pp. 2, 4
Princess Eleonore of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich
Cadet branch of the House of Solms
Born: 17 September 1871 Died: 16 November 1937
German royalty
Vacant
Title last held by
Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine
2 February 1905 – 9 November 1918
None
Grand Duchy abolished in 1918
Titles in pretence
None — TITULAR —
Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine
9 November 1918 – 9 October 1937
Reason for succession failure:
Grand Duchy abolished in 1918
Succeeded by