Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse

Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, also called Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig was the last Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine from 1892 until the monarchy was abolished in 1918. He was the oldest and only surviving son of Grand Duke Louis IV and Princess Alice of the United Kingdom.

He was the older brother of Alexandra Feodorovna, the last Empress of Russia. He was also the grandson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom through his mother.

Ernest Louis became Grand Duke after his father died in 1892. He was 23 years old when he became leader.

In 1894, Ernest Louis married Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh, his cousin. Ernest Louis and Victoria Melita had 2 children, only one survived: Princess Elisabeth and a stillborn boy. He and Victoria Melita divorced in 1901.

Ernest Louis then married Princess Eleonore of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich in 1905. She was the daughter of a German nobleman. Ernest Louis and Eleonore had 2 sons: Hereditary Grand Duke Georg Donatus of Hesse and Prince Louis of Hesse and by Rhine.

Ernest Louis lost his throne on November 9th, 1918. He refused to step down from the throne.

Ernest Louis died on October 9th, 1937 from long illness.

Category:1868 births
Category:1937 deaths
Category:German people