Prince Aribert Of Anhalt

Prince Aribert Joseph Alexander of Anhalt was born on 18 June 1866 in Wörlitz, within the Duchy of Anhalt, which was part of the German Confederation. He was the fourth son of Frederick I, Duke of Anhalt, and Princess Antoinette of Saxe-Altenburg. After the unification of Germany and the establishment of the German Empire in 1871, Anhalt was recognized as a sovereign duchy within the empire.

On 6 July 1891, he married Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. She was the daughter of Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein and Princess Helena of the United Kingdom, making her a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. The marriage was facilitated by Wilhelm II, the German Emperor, who was her first cousin.

In December 1900, Prince Aribert used his rights as reigning Duke to annul the marriage, immediately affecting Princess Marie Louise's status. She returned to England, and later, in her memoirs, expressed that she viewed her vows as lasting, choosing not to remarry. The marriage and subsequent annulment have been subjects of historical discussion, with some accounts suggesting Prince Aribert may have been bisexual or homosexual, and that an indiscretion with a male attendant might have contributed to the dissolution. Other sources indicate he may have been contemplating remarriage later in life.

Prince Aribert's military career began on 21 September 1882 when he joined the Prussian Army as a Second lieutenant in the Anhaltisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 93. Over the years, he received several promotions: on 3 November 1885, he was assigned to the 1st Guards Dragoon Regiment; he was promoted to supernumary Premierlieutenant on 27 January 1891, with a patent granted on 29 February 1892. He advanced to supernumary Rittmeister on 27 January 1895, and later received the Charakter of a Major à la suite in 1901 and Oberstleutnant in 1912.

During World War I, Aribert served on the staff of the 8th Infantry Division and held roles as a battalion and regimental commander. On 6 October 1914, he was promoted to Oberst à la suite. In October 1917, he commanded the 16th Infantry Brigade, and on 22 March 1918, achieved the rank of Generalmajor à la suite.

Following the death of his brother, Joachim Ernest, the Duke of Anhalt, on 13 September 1918, Prince Aribert was appointed regent for his underage nephew. His regency lasted until 12 November 1918, when he abdicated in the name of Joachim Ernst amid the upheavals of the German revolution. This abdication marked the end of the rule of the House of Ascania over Anhalt, which transitioned into the Free State of Anhalt.

Prince Aribert died in Munich on 24 December 1933 at the age of 67. Throughout his life, he received various orders and decorations, the details of which are documented in historical records.