Ludwig IV Grand Duke of Hesse
- Category : 1837-births
- Type : PE
- Profile : 4/6 - Opportunistic / Role Model
- Definition : Single
- Incarnation Cross : RAX Rulership 3
Biography
Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine, reigning from 13 June 1877 until his death. Through his own and his children's marriages he was connected to the British Royal Family, to the Imperial House of Russia and to other reigning dynasties of Europe.
During the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, Louis commanded the Hessian cavalry in support of the Austrian side. In the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War, Louis led the Hessian contingent of the armies of the North German Confederation.
On 1 July 1862, Ludwig married Princess Alice, the third child of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. The couple had seven children.
Grand Duchess Alice having died in 1878, Ludwig IV contracted a morganatic marriage on 30 April 1884 in Darmstadt with Countess Alexandrina Hutten-Czapska.
Grand Duke Ludwig IV died on 13 March 1892 in the New Palace in Darmstadt and was succeeded by his son, Ernst Ludwig.