Princess Eleonore of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich

Eleonore of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich was Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine as the second wife of Grand Duke Ernest Louis. She was nicknamed "Onor" by her family. She was Regent of Hesse in the absence of her spouse during World War I.

Biography

Family

Eleonore was the fourth child and second daughter of Hermann, Prince of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich and his wife, Countess Agnes of Stolberg-Wernigerode.

Grand Duchess of Hesse

Eleonore married Ernest Louis, Grand Duke of Hesse in Darmstadt on 2 February 1905. By marriage, she became Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine. As Grand Duchess, she took over the sponsorship and the leadership of a number of charitable organizations previously managed by her mother-in-law.
When her spouse left to join the First World War in 1914, she was appointed to serve the affairs of state as regent in his absence. Eleonore was regarded as a competent regent, and she equipped a hospital train to the front.
When the Hessian Grand Dukedom was abolished in 1918, Eleonore continued to manage her charitable programs after the introduction of democracy.

Death

Eleonore died in an airplane crash on her way to her son Louis' wedding in London. Also killed in the crash was her elder son Georg Donatus, Hereditary Grand Duke of Hesse, his wife Princess Cecilie of Greece and Denmark, and their two sons, Ludwig and Alexander. The remains of their stillborn son was also found in the wreckage. She is buried alongside members of her family in the New Mausoleum Rosenhöhe, Darmstadt.

Orders and decorations

: Lifesaving Medal on Band, 20 April 1898
:
* Dame of the Order of the Golden Lion, in Diamonds, 2 February 1905
* Grand Cross of the Ludwig Order, in Diamonds, ''2 February 1905''

Issue

Eleonore and Ernest Louis had two sons:

Georg Donatus, Hereditary Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, who married Princess Cecilie of Greece and Denmark, and had issue.
Louis, Prince of Hesse and by Rhine. Married Hon. Margaret Campbell Geddes, daughter of Lord Geddes, no issue. He adopted Moritz, Landgrave of Hesse as heir.