HRH Princess Donata of Prussia (1952-2026)

 

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HRH Princess Donata of Prussia died on February 25, 2025, after a long illness.  She was 73 years old.  

The princess was considered one of the top equestrian journalists, a "horsewoman through and through," according to a report on the International Alliance of Equestrians' website.  She was an internationally respected expert in eventing, which was her "favorite subject."  She "loved and lived the sport of eventing."   

The Holsteiner-Verband stated that for more than "a quarter of a century," the princess was "the voice of the Holsteiner horse -- intelligent, knowledgeable, and always with a keen sense for both people and horses."  She served as editor-in-chief of Pferd + Sport from 1992 until 2017, as well as the press officer for the Holsteiner-Verband, where her reporting was thorough and "independent in judgment and loyal in her dealings."  Pferd + Sport described Donata as "intelligent, knowledgeable, and always possessing a keen understanding of both people and horses.

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 HRH Princess Donata-Victoria Ina-Marie Ottonie of Prussia was born in Bonn on December 24, 1952.  She was the eldest of three children of HRH Prince Wilhelm-Karl Adalbert Erich Detloff of Prussia (1922-2007) and Armgard Elise Helene von Veltheim.  She grew up in Holzminden, Lower Saxony, where her father, Prince Wilhelm-Karl, was a businessman and the Herrenmeister of the Der Johanniterorden (the Protestant Order of St. John).

courtesy of the late HRH Prince Wilhelm-Karl

The princess was horse-mad from childhood. Her father owned several horses in Holminden.  As a teenager, she competed in the German Youth Dressage Championships, although her "true passion was eventing."   She covered equestrian events at the Olympics, World and European championships, Burghley, Badminton, and other international competitions.  

There is no doubt that Princess Donata was delighted when Hinrich Romeike and his horse, Marius, were double Gold Medal winners (individual eventing and team eventing) at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Marius was a Holsteiner.

Her career began with an internship at Eugen Wahler's Klosterhof Medingen, a horse-breeding facility. Eugen's grandson, Christoph, was part of the German eventing team that won the World Championship in 2022.   Although the original plan was to work at the center for a few weeks, she remained for several years, during which, according to Eugen's son, Burkhard, Donata and his father could talk about horses for hours, usually over a glass of sherry or a cup of tea.

In 2018, Donata received the prestigious Meteor Prize for her contributions to equestrian sport, a "tribute to her life's work." She was truly honored by the accolade, which "meant a great deal to her."

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 Princess Donata's father, Prince Wilhelm-Karl, was the youngest of four children of HRH Prince Oskar Karl Gustav Adolf Prince of Prussia (1888-1958), fifth son of Kaiser Wilhelm II, and Countess Ina-Maria Helene Adele Elise von Bassewitz-Levetzow (1888-1973).   This marriage, a love match, was not originally approved by Oskar's father.  Ina-Maria was not of equal birth, so the marriage was morganatic. Before the marriage, which took place on July 31, 1914, she was created Countess von Ruppin.   It was not until November 3, 1919, that Wilhelm II, in exile in the Netherlands, declared that Oskar's marriage was dynastic.   Ina-Marie was granted the rank and title of HRH Princess of Prussia on June 21, 1920.  The couple's three children were also raised to the rank of royalty.  Only Wilhelm-Karl was born as a Prussian prince.

Marlene A Eilers Koenig collection

HRH Prince Oskar of Prussia

Prince Wilhelm-Karl, Princess Armgard, Princess Donata and Prince Oskar (

HRH Prince Wilhelm-Karl (courtesy of the late Prince Wilhelm-Karl)

Prince Wilhelm-Karl, Princess Donata, and Prince Oskar @Mechtild von Veltheim (courtesy of the late Prince Wilhelm-Karl)

Princess Donata never married.  She is survived by her brothers, HRH Prince Wilhelm-Karl and HRH Prince Oskar; her nephews, HRH Prince Oskar and Prince Albert; and her niece, Princess Wilhelmine.

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