Kurfürstentum Hessen
After the Electorate of Hesse including Hesse-Philippsthal was annexed by Prussia in 1866, Ernest resigned on all subsequent claims on Hesse-Philippsthal in 1868, together with Landgrave Alexis of Hesse-Philippsthal-Barchfeld. In 1880, he received as compensation an annual income of , plus the in Hanau, and in Kassel.