Prince Harald von Hohenzollern of Germany passed away unexpectedly at the age of 63 from cardiac arrest while on a business trip in Namibia, just days before his wife was due to give birth to their first child.
On June 25, Princess Josefa von Hohenzollern, 51, announced her husband’s sudden death on social media, stating that Harald had died from a sudden cardiac arrest. At the time, he was working in the diamond industry in Windhoek, Namibia.
“This loss is deeply painful for me,” the princess wrote in an Instagram post that featured several photos of the couple together. She explained that she would need some time to grieve, say her goodbyes, and prepare for their baby’s arrival.
Josefa and Harald were married in September 2024 in Kollnburg, Germany—her hometown—after first meeting at a trade fair in Stuttgart in 2022. Local media described their connection as immediate, initiating a relationship two years prior. The couple’s first child is expected this month.
Princess Josefa currently serves as mayor of Leonberg, a city of about 50,000 residents in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. She is running for re-election and represents the center-right Free Democratic Party. Nicknamed the “singing mayor,” she is well-liked for her passion for music and her active involvement in local cultural events.
Following her husband’s death, Josefa shared that she would be putting her campaign on hold and stepping back from social media. She planned to remain in the mayoral race, saying it was a decision her late husband would have supported.
Josefa was elected Leonberg’s financial mayor in May 2021 with 17 out of 33 votes, securing an eight-year term. Her path to office was unusual—she finished third in the first round of the November 2020 election, falling short of advancing by a single vote. When the original winner declined the post before taking office, Josefa became the only remaining candidate and was allowed to run again.
During her time as First Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Josefa has faced a number of challenges. In June 2023, Mayor Martin Cohn suspended her amid ongoing political tensions, though media reports did not clarify the exact reasons for the conflict.
Prince Harald was a member of the House of Hohenzollern, a storied former German royal family whose history traces back to 1061. The dynasty once held influence over Brandenburg, Prussia, Romania, and the German Empire. In the media, Harald was sometimes called the “Diamond Prince” due to his leadership role in a gemstone company.
The German monarchy ended in 1918 following the German Revolution after World War I. Although the royal family no longer holds official recognition, two branches of the Hohenzollern aristocracy continue to maintain their titles. Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia, leads the formerly royal Prussian line, while Karl Friedrich, Prince of Hohenzollern, heads the Swabian line.
Unlike other royal families in Europe, the former German royal houses receive no official recognition from the government. The Hohenzollern family has encountered several recent controversies, including disputes over people who have acquired noble titles through adoption rather than birth, sparking debates over the rightful use of family names and titles.
The princess expressed heartfelt thanks for the many messages of sympathy and support she has received from the community. Well-wishes have come in from across Germany and beyond as Josefa gets ready to welcome her child without Harald at her side.
Josefa has also spoken out in favor of greater representation of women in local politics, pointing out that only seven of the 105 mayors in Baden-Württemberg are women. She argued that this imbalance fails to reflect the makeup of German society and called for more women to assume leadership roles in local governance.