Prince Harald von Hohenzollern of Germany died unexpectedly at age 63 from cardiac arrest while on a business trip to Namibia, just days before his wife was scheduled to give birth to their first child.
Princess Josefa von Hohenzollern, 51, announced her husband’s death on social media on June 25, stating that Harald had died completely unexpectedly of sudden cardiac death. The prince was working in the diamond industry in Windhoek, Namibia, at the time of his passing.
“This loss hits me very deep,” the princess wrote in her Instagram post, accompanied by several photographs of the couple together. She indicated that she would need time to grieve, say goodbye, and prepare for their unborn child.
The couple married in September 2024 in Josefa’s hometown of Kollnburg, Germany, after meeting at a trade fair in 2022. Their romance began two years ago and led to what local media described as love at first sight when they encountered each other at a trade show in Stuttgart. Their first child is expected to be born in July 2025.
Princess Josefa currently serves as mayor of Leonberg, a city of approximately 50,000 residents in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. She is also running for re-election to the position and is a member of the center-right Free Democratic Party. Local residents affectionately refer to her as the “singing mayor” due to her passion for music and frequent appearances at cultural events throughout the region.
Following her husband’s death, Josefa announced she would temporarily step back from campaigning and social media activities to focus on grieving and preparing for motherhood. However, she later told local newspaper Stuttgarter Nachrichten that she planned to continue her candidacy because it would be in her late husband’s best interests.
Josefa was first elected as Leonberg’s financial mayor in May 2021 after securing 17 of 33 votes for an eight-year term. Her path to office was unusual, as she initially secured the third-most votes in the first round of elections in November 2020 but narrowly missed advancing by just one vote. The elected candidate subsequently withdrew before taking office, allowing her to run again as the only remaining candidate.
During her tenure as First Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Leonberg, Josefa faced some challenges in office. Mayor Martin Cohn had placed her on leave in June 2023 following months of political conflict, though specific details of the dispute were not elaborated upon in the reports.
Prince Harald belonged to the historic House of Hohenzollern, a former German royal dynasty with roots dating back to 1061. The dynasty historically had ties to Brandenburg, Prussia, Romania, and the German Empire. German media referred to Harald as the “Diamond Prince” due to his role as head of a gemstone company.
The German monarchy was abolished in 1918 following the German Revolution that occurred after World War I. While the royal house is no longer officially recognized by the German government, two branches of Hohenzollern aristocracy continue to maintain their titles today. Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia, leads the formerly royal Prussian line, while Karl Friedrich, Prince of Hohenzollern, heads the formerly princely Swabian line.
Unlike other European royal families, the former royal houses in Germany do not receive state recognition. The Hohenzollern family has faced recent controversies, including incidents involving individuals who obtained noble titles through adoption rather than birth, leading to disputes over the legitimate use of family names and titles.
The princess expressed gratitude for the condolences and support she has received from the community during this difficult time. Messages of support have reportedly poured in from across Germany and beyond as she prepares to welcome their child without Harald by her side.
Princess Josefa had previously advocated for increased female representation in local government, noting that only seven of 105 mayors in Baden-Württemberg are women. She emphasized that this disparity does not reflect the composition of German society and argued for the need for more female leadership in local politics.
Sources:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/family/tragedy-strikes-royal-family-german-prince-harald-dies-suddenly-just-days-before-welcoming-first-child/articleshow/122195490.cms
https://nypost.com/2025/07/01/entertainment/germanys-prince-harald-von-hohenzollern-dies-days-before-childs-birth/
https://www.thedailybeast.com/european-prince-harald-von-hohenzollern-unexpectedly-dies-just-before-first-childs-birth/
https://people.com/prince-harald-von-hohenzollern-of-germany-dies-just-days-before-birth-of-first-child-11763850
https://www.livemint.com/news/world/german-prince-harald-von-hohenzollern-dies-suddenly-at-63-days-before-child-s-birth-11751444383179.html
