Karl Frederick
The Emperor also sent a rescript to Karl Frederick dated 20 August 1717 instructing him not to call his wife princess or their sons princes. Nevertheless, after his father died in 1718, Karl Frederick obtained from the Emperor a patent to elevate his wife to the title Countess of Ballenstedt (German: "Gräfin von Ballenstedt") on 19 December 1719, and their two sons to the rank of Imperial Counts of Bährnfeld (German: "Reichsgrafen von Bährnfeld") on 12 June 1723; this, however, without prejudice of the rights of the agnates. Karl Frederick died in Ballenstedt, and in 1722, the Reichshofrat forbade his widow to use the princely title for herself or her sons.