Prince Harald von Hohenzollern Dies Days Before Becoming A Father

Prince Harald von Hohenzollern of Germany has died suddenly at the age of 63 in a devastating twist of fate, just days before the arrival of his first child with his wife, Princess Josefa von Hohenzollern. The royal family and the town of Leonberg, where Josefa is the current mayor, are in mourning.

Princess Josefa revealed the devastating news in a heartbreaking social media post on June 25. "My beloved husband, Harald v. Hohenzollern, died completely unexpectedly of a sudden cardiac death," she was quoted as writing in what was posted with touching photos of the couple. "This loss hits me very deep." Prince Harald died of a heart attack last week in South Africa, where he worked in the diamond industry. Although of aristocratic descent, Harald had led a discreetly industrious life, combining his noble heritage with his business interests in southern Africa.

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Princess Josefa, 51, is in her late stages of pregnancy and is set to give birth in July. The couple was excited about embarking on a new chapter, both personally and professionally, as Josefa runs for re-election as mayor of Leonberg, a town in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. Now, however, she has the added weight of trying to enter into motherhood on her own terms while negotiating public life in the wake of private heartbreak. The house of Hohenzollern, an old dynasty associated with the German Empire, now mourns. The death of Harald has been felt not just in noble circles but also by the good burghers of Leonberg, who had long been fascinated with the royal couple, living out their modern, down-to-earth lifestyle in the town.

As the country and town brace themselves for the arrival of the royal baby, the tradition of Prince Harald is sure to firmly remain, both in name and character. His sudden departure speaks to the fragility of life, but it also stands as a testament to the resoluteness and resilience of those left behind. Princess Josefa, who carried both the future heir and tragedy, remains an inspiration and a symbol of life and strength. Ironically, for a year of new promise, Prince Harald draws to a close with much sadness, and the new life quietly stirs to life.