A sudden turn in the dispute between two princes over a fairytale castle near Hanover
A soap opera in the early evening program would not have made it any nicer. A father argues in court against his own son, it’s about works of art, antiques, land – and a fairytale castle. Specifically: The head of the Guelphs, Ernst August Prince of Hanover, reclaims the Marienburg south of Hanover from his son, Ernst August Hereditary Prince of Hanover – because of “gross ingratitude”. The oral hearing at the Hanover Regional Court WILL first be postponed by several months, then it will come. And then Princess Caroline of Monaco’s husband withdrew the lawsuit – shortly before the hearing on Thursday. The decision is to be announced on June 3rd.
The withdrawal of the lawsuit does not settle the process
Because the process is not over: Ernst August Senior sold his claims to the Salzburg EAH BetriebsgmbH, whose lawsuit is being heard. However, the presiding judge of the competent civil chamber, Stefan Heuer, expressed legal concerns about this assignment: “As of today, we would dismiss the lawsuit,” he emphasized. There was also “no gross ingratitude given”.
Because that is exactly what it is about: the head of the Guelphs had demanded the return of the castle, the Calenberg estate in the municipality of Pattensen-Schulenburg and the princely house of Herrenhausen in Hanover. The 68-year-old confirms his right to have a donation revoked as a result of “gross ingratitude”, unjust enrichment and the loss of the business basis. The 68-year-old had given the property to his son in 2004 and 2007 as an anticipated succession.
But the judge stated in his legal assessment: The 38-year-old son of the Welf chief was allowed to sell land on the Calenberg estate – especially since the sales were “economically advantageous”. An inviting of the assets of the House of Hanover was not ascertainable. Allegations that the hereditary prince did not take sufficient care of the seriously ill father, did not visit him at the bedside, are “far too general”. In view of the years of dispute, the 68-year-old “could hardly expect any more visits”. And: The Guelph boss is “no longer a child”.
The lawyer for the company, Volker Römermann, countered: It was not possible to name Ernst August Prince of Hanover as a witness in his role as plaintiff – “now we will name him”. The court’s assessment that the sale of the Calenberg property had not caused any damage was “too easy”. The contracts are designed so that the head of the house in Hanover decides – and that is the 68-year-old. The decision is not up to the son, as in the case of Marienburg. Prof. Andreas Frieser, the Hereditary Prince’s lawyer, saw no solution in naming a witness to “unsubstantiated allegations”.
The hereditary prince explained in advance that the father’s lawsuit was “without substance and the allegations made therein are false”. He welcomes the fact that his father is withdrawing his lawsuit – as well as the “insight into the fact that his lawsuit was hopeless,” said the 38-year-old nun. But the dispute is much more than a family quarrel – it is about the future of Marienburg Castle. In 2019, the family hit the headlines because Ernst August junior wanted to sell the dilapidated castle to the public sector for one euro – against his father’s will.
Castle and inventory in one foundation
But after the 68-year-old’s objection, the deal negotiated with the Lower Saxony state government fell through. Castle and inventory came into a foundation. According to the judge, the 38-year-old is protecting the assets of the House of Hanover, because the “renovation burden” of the castle is high at 24 million euros. Römermann emphasized that it is impossible to assume that the castle has no “material value” – that is, the castle can be sold for one euro. The father’s aim was to preserve the fortune for the coming centuries.
Whatever the case, the hereditary prince made it clear after the hearing: “With regard to the Marienburg Castle Foundation, the legal situation is clear and unambiguous anyway: Marienburg Castle stands on a strong and future-proof foundation.” The foundation solution found with the state of Lower Saxony was “completed with legal certainty ‘ he stressed. “The foundation itself can also concentrate with all its strength on ensuring the continued preservation of the Marienburg as a central cultural monument in Lower Saxony, which remains publicly accessible to everyone.” And he probably looks forward to the pronouncement of judgment scheduled for June.