Royal Prince Dies 'Unexpectedly' Days Before First Child's Birth

A royal prince has died “completely unexpectedly” just days before the birth of his first child.

Prince Harald von Hohenzollern, of Germany, died last weekend at age 63. He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest while on a business trip in Namibia, where he was working in the diamond industry. His death came just before his wife, 51-year-old Princess Josefa von Hohenzollern, is set to give birth to their first child, who's due to arrive within the first few days of July. She announced the tragic news on social media.

"Dear fellow citizens of Leonberg, today I am writing with a heavy heart," she wrote. "My beloved husband, Harald v. Hohenzollern, died completely unexpectedly of a sudden cardiac death. This loss hits me very deep."

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Princess Josefa is the mayor of Leonberg, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, and is currently running for reelection. She and Prince Harald married just nine months ago, in September 2024, after first meeting in 2022. The House of Hohenzollern is one of two royal German dynasties which remained after the royal house was overthrown during the First World War. It’s comprised of members from Hohenzollern as well as Brandenburg, Prussia, Romania, and the German Empire.

"I need time to grieve, say goodbye, and be there for our unborn child," Princess Josefa’s statement continued. "That's why I will be stepping back from campaigning and social media in the coming days. I hope for your understanding during this time off, and thank you from the bottom of my heart at this point for your condolences and support.”