Who would be Queen of Hanover today?

The Kingdom of Hanover existed from 1814 to 1866. The last King of Hanover was King George V, but the line continues to this day. The Kingdom operated under Salic law, which meant that women were barred from inheriting the throne. The Queens discussed will thus always be Queens consort. Any titles used following the abolishment of the monarchy are titular. So who would be Queen of Hanover today?

As stated, the last King of Hanover was King George V. He was married to Marie of Saxe-Altenburg, who was thus the last Queen consort of Hanover. When King George V died in 1878, his claim to the throne passed to their only son, Ernest Augustus, Crown Prince of Hanover.

Ernest Augustus was married to Princess Thyra of Denmark later that same year. Princess Thyra became the first titular Queen consort of Hanover. They went on to have six children together. When Ernest Augustus died in 1923, his claim passed to their youngest son, also named Ernest Augustus. Their two elder sons had died in 1912 and 1901, respectively.

The second Ernest Augustus married Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia in 1913. She was thus the second titular Queen consort of Hanover. They went on to have five children together. When the second Ernest Augustus died in 1953, his claim was inherited by their eldest son, also named Ernest Augustus.

The third Ernest Augustus was first married to Princess Ortrud of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg in 1951. She was thus the third titular Queen consort of Hanover. They went on to have six children together before Princess Ortrud’s death in 1980.

The following year, Ernest Augustus remarried to Countess Monika zu Solms-Laubach, who became the fourth titular Queen consort of Hanover. Upon his death in 1987, his claim was inherited by his eldest son, yet another Ernest Augustus.

The fourth Ernest Augustus married Chantal Hochuli in 1981, making her the fifth titular Queen consort of Hanover. They had two sons together before their divorce in 1997.

In 1999, Ernest Augustus remarried to Princess Caroline of Hanover, making her the sixth and current titular Queen consort of Hanover. They have one daughter together, Princess Alexandra. They have reportedly separated but are still legally married.