Handwritten and/or handsigned replies from the former sovereign monarchies of germany
Bavaria
Received: 10 September 2026
This reply from Franz, Duke of Bavaria, is in reply to a birthday greeting I sent in June 2026. The last line refers to a reference I made in my letter to terribly hot weather where I live and wishing him more pleasant weather for his birthday. The line reads, “Alas, we had our heatwave too!”
Prussia
Received: 3 August 2026
This reply from HIRH, Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia, is on the occasion of his birthday. The card is hand signed with the closing “With best regards,” a noted departure from the previously received messages from the prince.
Received: 30 October 2025
From His Imperial and Royal Highness Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia on the occasion of his birthday. The reply comes as a pre-printed card, in German, hand-dated and hand-signed by the Prince.
Isenburg
Received: 5 July 2025
A response from His Serene Highness Alexander, Prince of Isenburg, in regards to a birthday greeting I sent. A photograph of HSH at his home, Schloss Birstein, has a kind hand written note on the reverse.
Lippe
Received 8 July 2026
Prince Stephan of Lippe once again is gracious enough to take the time to pen a hand written reply to a recent birthday greeting I sent to him. This on official stationery featuring the family’s coat of arms. Unlike the previously received signed response, which was signed simply “Stephan”, this signature says (in German) “Stephan, Prince of Lippe”.
Received: Early 2025
A unique reply from His Serene Highness Stephan, Prince of Lippe. This was in response to a birthday message I sent HSH months earlier. In his handwritten note, the Prince apologizes for the delay in his response and makes reference to a devastating weather event in my home state. An extraordinarily kind and thoughtful response.
The front of the card features a photo of the Prince’s children, which is not shown here. The three signatures on the right are facsimile signatures. The message and signature at left is the prince’s genuine autograph.
