Prince Harald von Hohenzollern of Germany died unexpectedly at age 63 from cardiac arrest while on a business trip to Namibia, just days before his wife was due to give birth to their first child in July 2025.
Princess Josefa von Hohenzollern, 51, announced her husband’s death on social media on June 25, writing that her beloved husband “died completely unexpectedly of a sudden cardiac death.” The princess indicated that the loss hit her very deeply and that she would need time to grieve and prepare for their unborn child.
The prince suffered the fatal cardiac arrest in Windhoek, Namibia, where he was working in the diamond industry. Princess Josefa is currently running for re-election as mayor of Leonberg, a town in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.
The couple had married in September 2024 in Josefa’s hometown of Kollnburg after meeting at a trade fair in 2022. According to German publication Bild, their meeting at a trade show in Stuttgart was described as love at first sight. Their first child is expected to be born in July 2025.
In her heartfelt Instagram post, Princess Josefa shared several photographs of the couple and announced she would be stepping back from campaigning and social media. She expressed that she needed time to grieve, say goodbye, and be there for their unborn child. The princess requested understanding during this difficult time and thanked supporters for their condolences.
Princess Josefa assumed her royal title after marrying Prince Harald, who belonged to the House of Hohenzollern. The dynasty dates back to 1061 and has historical ties to Brandenburg, Prussia, Romania, and the German Empire. The royal house was overthrown during the German Revolution that followed World War I, though two branches of Hohenzollern aristocracy remain today.
Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia, currently leads the formerly royal Prussian line, while Karl Friedrich, Prince of Hohenzollern, heads the formerly princely Swabian line. Unlike other European royal families, the former royal houses in Germany are not officially recognized by the German state.
The princess is known locally as the “singing mayor” due to her love of music and frequent appearances at cultural events throughout the region. Her political career began in November 2020 when she ran for the post of financial mayor of Leonberg. She secured the third most votes in the first round but narrowly missed advancing by just one vote.
The elected candidate ultimately withdrew before taking office, allowing Josefa to run again. She was subsequently elected as the only remaining candidate in May 2021 after securing 17 of 33 votes for an eight-year term. She serves as First Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Leonberg.
During her tenure, Princess Josefa has faced challenges in office. Mayor Martin Cohn had placed her on leave in June 2023 following months of political conflict. She is a member of the center-right Free Democratic Party.
Prince Harald maintained a relatively low profile despite his royal title, according to Spanish publication La Nacional. The prince’s sudden death has left Princess Josefa facing the prospect of single motherhood while grieving the loss of her husband of less than a year.
The tragic timing of the prince’s death, occurring just weeks before the couple was set to welcome their first child together, has drawn sympathy from across Germany and beyond. Messages of support and condolences have poured in for the princess during this difficult period.
The couple’s romance began two years ago and led to their wedding celebration in Josefa’s hometown. Their journey together was marked by hope and excitement about becoming first-time parents, making the prince’s unexpected death particularly poignant for those who knew them.
As Princess Josefa prepares to welcome their child without her husband by her side, she has requested privacy to navigate this challenging time. Her announcement that she would temporarily step away from her mayoral duties demonstrates the profound impact of this loss on both her personal life and professional responsibilities.
The House of Hohenzollern continues to mourn the loss of Prince Harald, whose death represents not only a personal tragedy for his wife but also the end of what appeared to be a promising new chapter for the aristocratic family.
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