Principality of Reuss-Greiz Index

Heinrich XXIV, the last reigning Prince of Reuss of Greiz, Credit – Wikipedia

IMPORTANT: All males of the House of Reuss were named Heinrich plus a number. In the Reuss-Greiz, Elder Line, the numbering covered all male children and the numbers increased until 100 was reached and then started again at 1. In the Reuss-Gera, Younger Line, the system was similar but the numbers increased until the end of the century before starting again at 1. This tradition was seen as a way of honoring Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich VI (reigned 1191 – 1197) who had benefitted the family. Therefore, the Roman numerals seen after names are NOT regnal numbers.

The House of Reuss began their rule circa 1010. Heinrich XI, Count Reuss of Greiz, Lower-Greiz (Untergreiz) and Upper-Greiz (Obergreiz) was elevated to princely status in 1778 and then used the title of Prince Reuss, Older Line, or Prince Reuss of Greiz.

Heinrich XXIV, the last Prince Reuss of Greiz, succeeded his father in 1902 but was unable to rule because of his physical and mental disabilities as a result of an accident in his childhood. Instead, a Regent ruled the Principality of Reuss-Greiz: Heinrich XIV, 4th Prince Reuss of Gera from 1901 – 1913 and then his son Heinrich XXVII, 5th and last Prince Reuss of Gera from 1913 – 1918.

On November 11, 1918, the Regent, Heinrich XXVII, Prince Reuss of Gera (Younger Line) abdicated in the name of the disabled Heinrich XXIV, 6th Prince Reuss of Greiz. After the abdication, Heinrich XXIV retained the right of residence of the Lower Castle in Greiz and lived there until his death.

Upon the death of Heinrich XXIV, 6th Prince Reuss of Greiz in 1927, the House of Reuss-Greiz became extinct and claims to its titles passed to Heinrich XXVII, the 5th and the last reigning Prince Reuss of Gera. When he died in 1928, the claims to the titles of the House of Reuss-Greiz and the House of Reuss-Gera passed to his son Heinrich XLV, Hereditary Prince Reuss of Gera. The childless Heinrich XLV, Hereditary Prince Reuss of Gera, disappeared after he had been arrested in August 1945 by the Soviet military. He was legally declared dead in 1962 and the claims to the titles of the House of Reuss-Greiz and the House of Reuss-Gera went to the Head of House of Reuss- Köstritz where they remain today.

The territory that encompassed the Principality of Reuss-Greiz is now in the German state of Thuringia.

The Principality of Reuss-Gera within the German Empire; Credit – By Milenioscuro – Own work based on: File:Deutsches Reich (Karte) Reuß ältere Linie.svg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35265383

Below is an indexed listing with links to biographical articles about the Princely Family of Reuss-Greiz. If it says “Notable Issue” before a name, that means not all of the children for the parent of that person are listed. Also listed below are links to the Reuss-Greiz Content Areas. Note that some wives of the Princes of Reuss-Greiz have no articles due to the lack of information.

House of Reuss Older Line

Principality of Reuss-Greiz

Family of Heinrich XI, 1st Prince Reuss of Greiz

  • Heinrich XI, 1st Prince Reuss of Greiz (Count Reuss of Obergreiz 1723 – 1768, Count Reuss of Greiz 1768 – 1778, 1st Prince Reuss of Greiz 1778 – 1800)
  • Conradine Reuss-Köstritz, Princess Reuss of Greiz (1st wife of Heinrich XI)
    • Notable Issue: Heinrich XIII, Prince Reuss-Greiz (see below)
  • Alexandrine of Leiningen-Dagsburg-Heidesheim, Princess Reuss of Greiz (2nd wife of Heinrich XI, no children)

Family of Heinrich XIII, 2nd Prince Reuss of Greiz

Family of Heinrich XIX, 3rd Prince Reuss of Greiz

Family of Heinrich XX, 4th Prince Reuss of Greiz

Family of Heinrich XXII, 5th Prince Reuss of Greiz

Heinrich XXIV, 6th Prince Reuss of Greiz

Pretenders of the Principality of Reuss-Greiz

Reuss Miscellaneous Articles

Reuss-Greiz Content Areas