Exciting News: Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Sophie-Alexandra Evekink Anticipate Arrival of Their First Royal Offspring

Prince Ludwig and Princess Sophie of Bavaria Expecting First Royal Baby

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Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and his wife, Sophie-Alexandra Evekink, are excited to share that they are expecting their first child together.

Prince Ludwig, who is 41 years old and the great-great-grandson of the last King of Bavaria, Ludwig III, married Princess Sophie, 35, in May 2023. Their wedding took place nine months after they announced their engagement. Sophie hinted at her pregnancy during a recent talk about the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, as reported by German newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine.

Sophie mentioned during discussions about the upcoming Löwenmarsh (Lion March) fundraising event in September that she won't be able to participate due to her nearing due date. The House of Bavaria's speaker also confirmed the Princess' pregnancy to a German newspaper.

Known as "the German Kate and William," Ludwig and Sophie had a grand wedding that was widely celebrated. The reception, hosted by Ludwig's cousin, the Duke of Bavaria who leads the House of Wittelsbach, was extravagant. Sophie's stunning Reem Acra gown was custom-made in Bavaria, paired with a veil designed in Ukraine and an antique diamond and sapphire floral tiara from the Bavarian royal family.

Ludwig is the third child of Prince Luitpold of Bavaria and Karin Beatrix Wiegand. As the oldest male, he is the heir to the royal house of Bavaria. If Ludwig and Sophie’s baby is a boy, he will be next in the line of succession after his father.

Unlike the British royal line of succession, the House of Wittelsbach line of succession is only hereditary among male descendants. This is different from the British royal family, which abandoned male-preference primogeniture in 2011.

Ludwig's namesake, King Ludwig III, lost his throne at the end of World War I when the German Empire was dissolved. As a result, Ludwig and his descendants are only pretenders to the defunct throne. They are responsible for representing their monarchy's history and ceremonial traditions.

Ludwig studied law in Göttingen, with a focus on human rights and international humanitarian law. Sophie, a dual Dutch/Canadian citizen, has a background working for the United Nations and World Health Organization. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in law at Oxford, with a research focus on justice for victims of conflict-related sexual violence.

In anticipation of their wedding in 2023, Luitpold expressed his admiration for Sophie in a statement to Bild newspaper.

The Prince told the German outlet that Ludwig made a good choice. He mentioned that his future daughter-in-law is a very intelligent and educated woman. The Prince expressed his hope that they start a family soon. He also added that it is very gratifying to see Ludwig spending more time in Bavaria again.

Editor's P/S:

The news of Prince Ludwig and Princess Sophie's impending arrival brings joy and anticipation to the House of Bavaria. Their union has been celebrated for its modern and international flair, with Sophie's humanitarian background complementing Ludwig's legal expertise. As the heir to the Wittelsbach dynasty, Ludwig's child will carry on the family's legacy of representing Bavarian history and traditions.

The article highlights the unique succession laws of the House of Wittelsbach, which prioritize male descendants. This contrasts with the British monarchy's recent shift to absolute primogeniture. This distinction underscores the evolving nature of royal succession and the ongoing debate about gender equality within monarchies.