Duke Christian August of Augustenberg

Marlene A. Eilers Koenig collection 

This card was probably part of a series of postcards published in 1898 to commemorate Schleswig Holstein Jubilee (1848-1898)

Duke Christian August II (1814-1869 OF Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenberg was the son of Duke Friedrich Christian II and his wife, Princess Louise of Denmark.

In 1848, Schleswig-Holstein rebelled against German nationalism.  The Duke of Augustenberg was determined to remain independent, and he was determined to assert his rights as sovereign.  He sought out help from Prussia.

Eventually the Duke renounced his rights in favor of his son Friedrich August.

He married in 1820 to Countess Danneskjold-Samsoe.  They had seven children.  His eldest surviving son, Friedrich married Princess Adelheid of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, a niece of Queen Victoria. 

The Duke's youngest son, Prince Christian, married Princess Helena, Queen Victoria's fifth child.