Ernst II of Saxe-Altenburg (born Ernst Bernhard Georg Johann Karl Friedrich Peter Albert von Wettin) is the 5th and current ruler of the Thuringian Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg, one of the constituent states of the German Empire, succeeding his uncle Ernst on 7 February 1908. Loved by his people and renowned within scientific circles, Ernst is one of the most popular princes within the German Empire.
History[]
Early Life[]
Ernst was the fourth child and only son of Prince Moritz, the youngest son of Georg, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg and Princess Auguste of Saxe-Meiningen. Together with his sisters, he grew up in the Prinzenpalast in Altenburg.
In the 1880s, he attended schools in Dresden and Eisenberg and later went to university in Lausanne, Jena and Heidelberg. After that, he joined the 1st Foot Guards of the Prussian Army as a lieutenant and was educated at the Kassel War Academy. Between 1903 and 1905, he served the German General Staff in Berlin.
Duke of Saxe-Altenburg[]
After the death of his uncle Ernst in 1908, who had no male heirs, Ernst suceeded to the throne. Additionally, he was promoted to Colonel-in-chief of the 8th Thuringian Infantry Regiment Nr. 153 and the 1st Royal Saxon Jager Batallion Nr. 12. Renowned for his great military skills, he was awarded Order of the Black Eagle, the the highest order of chivalry in the Kingdom of Prussia, by Wilhelm II personally.
In 1912, the duke, who was very open to innovation and research, decided to travel to Spitsbergen. He stood in contact with famous European explorers like Sven Hedin and Fridtjof Nansen and was very interested in geography and topography.
Ernst II also began to promote the expansion of Saxe-Altenburg's infrastructure. He owned one of the first automobiles within the duchy and founded Altenburg–Nobitz Airport, one of the first airports in Germany, in 1913.
During the Weltkrieg[]
When the Weltkrieg broke out, Ernst commanded the 8th Thuringian Infantry Regiment Nr. 153 as part of the IV Army Corps on the Western Front, where he fought in the First Battle of the Marne.
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After the war[]
Ernst is known for being a caring, down-to-earth ruler who often interacts with his people on public occasions.
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