Princess Josefa with her husband Prince Harald

Celebrities

Princess Left Devastated After Husband Dies Just Months After Wedding While She Awaits Birth of Their Baby

Published on July 1, 2025

Princess Josefa von Hohenzollern has been left heartbroken after the sudden death of her husband, Prince Harald von Hohenzollern, just nine months after they married and only weeks before the birth of their first child.

The devastating news was shared by Josefa herself on Instagram, where she posted a moving tribute alongside a collage of photos showing happier moments with her late husband. Prince Harald, 63, passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest in Windhoek, Namibia, where he had been working in the diamond industry.

Josefa, 51, who is also running for re-election as mayor of Leonberg in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, told followers she would be taking time away from her campaign and social media to grieve and focus on her unborn child. “Dear fellow citizens of Leonberg, today I am writing with a heavy heart,” she wrote.

“My beloved husband Harald v. Hohenzollern died quite unexpectedly of a sudden cardiac death. This loss hits me very deep. I need time to grieve, say goodbye and be there for our unborn child. That’s why I will be stepping back from campaigning and social media in the coming days. I hope for your understanding during this time off and thank you from the bottom of my heart at this point for your condolences and support.”

The couple’s wedding took place in September 2024 in Josefa’s hometown of Kollnburg. According to Paris Match, they had met two years earlier at a trade fair, and their romance quickly blossomed. The wedding brought Josefa into the Hohenzollern dynasty, a former royal German family with a long and complex history linked to Brandenburg, Prussia, the German Empire and Romania.

Prince Harald’s death has come as a shock, not just to his family but also to many who had watched the couple begin their new life together with such joy and optimism. The timing of the tragedy makes it even more poignant, with Josefa now preparing to give birth without her husband by her side.

Known affectionately as the “singing mayor” for her passion for music and frequent involvement in cultural events, Josefa has long been admired for her vibrant personality and community spirit. Her post has been met with an outpouring of sympathy, with many expressing support for her during such an unimaginably difficult time.

As she steps away from public duties to mourn and care for her baby-to-be, there’s a deep sense of compassion from across her town and beyond. While the royal title may have come later in life, Josefa’s down-to-earth nature and dedication to public service have made her hugely respected in Leonberg.

There’s no doubt this loss will take time to come to terms with, especially as she navigates new motherhood without her partner. For now, her message is clear – she’s focusing on healing, remembering her husband, and being strong for the child they were both so looking forward to meeting.