Hugo, 2nd Prince of Windisch-Graetz
Hugo Alfred Adolf Philipp, 2nd Prince of Windisch-Graetz was an Austrian prince and landowner.
Early life
Hugo Alfred was born in Vienna on 26 May 1823. He was the second son of Weriand, 1st Prince of Windisch-Graetz, and Princess Maria Eleonore Karolina von Lobkowicz. His elder brother, Prince Karl, married their cousin, Princess Mathilde of Windisch-Graetz. His younger siblings included Princess Gabriele ; Prince Ernst ; and Prince Robert.His paternal grandparents were Count Joseph Nicholas of Windisch-Graetz and Duchess Maria Leopoldine Franziska of Arenberg. His paternal uncle, Alfred I, Prince of Windisch-Grätz, had been elevated to the rank of prince in 1804. His maternal grandparents were Joseph Franz Maximilian, 7th Prince of Lobkowicz and Princess Maria Karolina von Schwarzenberg.
Career
Like his uncle in 1804, his father was elevated to the rank of hereditary prince in 1822. Upon the death of his elder brother Prince Karl at the Battle of Solferino in 1859 during the Second Italian War of Independence, he became the heir of his father. Upon his father's death at Haasberg Castle on 27 October 1867, he succeeded as the 2nd Prince of Windisch-Graetz, in the cadet branch. a mediatised house whose members historically bore the style of "Serene Highness".From his father, he inherited a number of palatial residences, including his main residence, Haasberg Castle in Carniola ; Gonobitz Castle, which his father acquired in 1826 and which also included the Seiz Carthusian monastery; Podsreda Castle in Kozje; Predjama Castle, which his father acquired in 1846; and Wagensberg Castle, which his father acquired in 1853.
Personal life
At Ludwigslust Palace on 20 October 1849, he married Duchess Luise Marie Helene of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, a daughter of Paul Frederick, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Princess Alexandrine of Prussia. Among her siblings were Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Duke William of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Before her death on 9 March 1859 in Venice after a short illness, they were the parents of:- Princess Alexandra Maria of Windisch-Graetz, who married Count Rudolf Ladislaus von Khevenhüller-Metsch, the youngest son of Richard, 5th Prince of Khevenhüller-Metsch and Countess Antonia Maria Lichnowsky.
- Princess Olga Marie Friederike Franziska of Windisch-Graetz, who married Andreas Mocenigo
- Prince Hugo Weriand Alexander Wilhelm Alfred of Windisch-Graetz, who married Princess Christiane von Auersperg, a daughter of Prince Vincenz von Auersperg and Wilhelmine von Colloredo-Mannsfeld, in 1885.
- Princess Marie Gabrielle Ernestine Alexandra of Windisch-Graetz, who married her first cousin, Duke Paul Frederick of Mecklenburg, the second son of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and Princess Augusta Reuss of Köstritz.
- Prince Ernst Wilhelm of Windisch-Graetz, who died unmarried.
- Princess Aloisia "Luise" Maria Mathilde of Windisch-Graetz, who died young.
- Princess Elisabeth Maria Mathilde of Windisch-Graetz, who died young.