Albert II, Prince of Thurn and Taxis
Encyclopedia
Albert Maria Lamoral Miguel Johannes Gabriel, 12th Prince of Thurn and Taxis (or, legally, Albert Prinz von Thurn und Taxis; born 24 June 1983 in Regensburg
, Bavaria
, Germany
) is a German prince
and socialite
. He has been listed as the world's youngest billionaire many times since his father's death in 1990. He first appeared on the list when he was age eight. His mother, Princess Gloria
(née Countess of Schönburg in Glauchau and Waldenburg), was a popular media figure in the 1980s, and was instrumental in preserving his fortune until he was old enough to officially inherit it. He has two older sisters: Princess Maria Theresia and Princess Elisabeth.
where he studied economics and theology. He is an enthusiastic racing driver, vice-champion of the 2007 German GT Championship ADAC GT Masters with the German Team Reiter Engineering
.
is a German family whose fortune derives from their position as hereditary general postmasters of the Holy Roman Empire
. As such, the family was a key player in the postal services in Europe in the 16th century. The Thurn and Taxis family remains well known as owners of breweries and builders of countless castles.
, the family has included the title as an integral part of their name in the form of Prinz von Thurn und Taxis. Because of this the legal name of Albert is Albert Prinz von Thurn und Taxis, although he himself as the head of the family would be called Albert Fürst von Thurn und Taxis if his titles were legally recognized by the German state.
Regensburg
Regensburg is a city in Bavaria, Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest. Regensburg is the capital of the Bavarian administrative region Upper Palatinate...
, Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) is a German prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
and socialite
Socialite
A socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events....
. He has been listed as the world's youngest billionaire many times since his father's death in 1990. He first appeared on the list when he was age eight. His mother, Princess Gloria
Gloria, Princess of Thurn and Taxis
Gloria, Princess of Thurn and Taxis is a princess, by marriage, of the German Thurn und Taxis House.-Biography:Gloria was born on 23 February 1960, the daughter of Joachim, Count...
(née Countess of Schönburg in Glauchau and Waldenburg), was a popular media figure in the 1980s, and was instrumental in preserving his fortune until he was old enough to officially inherit it. He has two older sisters: Princess Maria Theresia and Princess Elisabeth.
Education
Prince Albert completed his high school education in Rome and then, after his military service, he went to the University of EdinburghUniversity of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
where he studied economics and theology. He is an enthusiastic racing driver, vice-champion of the 2007 German GT Championship ADAC GT Masters with the German Team Reiter Engineering
Reiter Engineering
Reiter Engineering GmbH & Co Kg is a German racing team founded in 1994. The company is named after engineer and founder Hans Reiter. In 2000, Reiter entered a Lamborghini in the FIA GT Championship with its own Diablo GT built by the team...
.
Family
The Princely House of Thurn und TaxisThurn und Taxis
The Princely House of Thurn and Taxis is a German family that was a key player in the postal services in Europe in the 16th century and is well known as owners of breweries and builders of many castles.- History :...
is a German family whose fortune derives from their position as hereditary general postmasters of the Holy Roman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a realm that existed from 962 to 1806 in Central Europe.It was ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its character changed during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period, when the power of the emperor gradually weakened in favour of the princes...
. As such, the family was a key player in the postal services in Europe in the 16th century. The Thurn and Taxis family remains well known as owners of breweries and builders of countless castles.
Media attention
In 2008 he was included as 11th on the list of the "20 Hottest Young Royals" as compiled by Forbes magazine.Titles, styles, honours and arms
As royal titles are not recognized by the German law since they were declared void in 1919Weimar constitution
The Constitution of the German Reich , usually known as the Weimar Constitution was the constitution that governed Germany during the Weimar Republic...
, the family has included the title as an integral part of their name in the form of Prinz von Thurn und Taxis. Because of this the legal name of Albert is Albert Prinz von Thurn und Taxis, although he himself as the head of the family would be called Albert Fürst von Thurn und Taxis if his titles were legally recognized by the German state.
Titles and styles
- 24 June 1983 – 14 December 1990: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Thurn and Taxis
- 14 December 1990 – present: His Serene Highness The Prince of Thurn and Taxis