King Charles III is mourning the death of his first cousin, Maximilian, Margrave of Baden, who died on Thursday morning at the age of 89.
He died at Salem Castle in Germany, according to a statement on the House of Baden’s official website. Maximilian, the House of Baden’s head since 1963, will be succeeded by his eldest son, Bernhard Margrave of Baden.
The royal, known simply as Max, was the eldest sister of Prince Phillip, and Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark. Charles, 74, Princess Anne, 72, Prince Andrew, 62, and Prince Edward, 58 are his first cousins.
“Margrave Max was involved in many functions in the state of Baden-Württemberg and always felt a great responsibility for the common good,” the statement continued.
The House of Baden went into great detail about Max’s involvement, which included overseeing the 20-year renovation of Salem Castle and cathedral, serving in the German army and eventually rising to the rank of colonel, and founding GermanAid-Baden.
“His strong sense of social responsibility was also evident in the association ‘GermanAid-Baden’ he founded in 1982, a non-profit organization to support refugees in need in the third world. “Here, he distinguished himself by providing exceptional services to Ethiopian refugees in Sudan,” according to the statement.
The House finished by emphasizing Max’s “modest and reclusive lifestyle.”
“He was conceited and maintained good contacts with the people of his homeland,” it said. “He always had an open ear for those in need, for those who sought his assistance.” In 1966, Max married Archduchess Valerie of Austria, with whom he had four children: Princess Marie Louise Elisabeth Mathilde Theodora Cecilie Sarah Charlotte, 53, his successor, Bernhard Max Friedrich August Gustav Louis Kraft, 52, Prince Leopold Max Christian Ludwig Clemens Hubert, 51, and Prince Michael Max Andreas, 46.
The House announced that two funeral services will be held for the late Margrave.
The first service will be open to “companions, friends, and acquaintances as well as employees, former employees, and retirees,” while the second will be closed to “family circle, friendly houses, as well as representatives of politics, economy, and culture.”
The dates of either service were not disclosed.
Neither King Charles nor Queen Consort Camilla, 75, nor any other members of the royal family has commented on the death.
