An announcement posted on the Bavarian royal family’s Instagram, accompanied by a beautiful illustration of a stork carrying a blue handkerchief, read: “Princess Sophie and Prince Ludwig of Bavaria are delighted to announce the birth of their first child.
“Prince Rupprecht Theodor Maria was born on August 6, 2024 in Munich. Mother and child are in excellent health, the young family are now enjoying their first days together.”
Princess Sophie’s pregnancy was announced during her lecture on the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, where she mentioned she would not be participating in the annual Löwenmarsh (Lion’s March) fundraising run due to its proximity to her due date.
Prince Rupprecht, whose name means “bright” and “fame” from the German terms hrōd and berht, seems to be named after his ancestor, Crown Prince Rupprecht, the eldest child of Ludwig III, the last King of Bavaria.
As the newborn is a boy, he is fourth in line to the throne, following his father, Ludwig. The crown is hereditary only among the male descendants of the royal House of Wittelsbach.
Franz, Duke of Bavaria, is the current head of the House of Wittelsbach and has been with his partner, Thomas Greinwald, since 1980. As Franz has no children, his heir presumptive is his brother, Prince Max, followed by Ludwig’s father, Prince Luitpold.
