Leopold II, Prince of Lippe

Leopold II was born in Detmold, the eldest child of Leopold I, the reigning prince of Lippe and his consort Princess Pauline of Anhalt-Bernburg (1769–1820). He succeeded as Prince of Lippe on his father's death on 5 November 1802. As he was just six years old, his mother Princess Pauline acted as regent until 3 July 1820, when he assumed control of the government.[1] During the regency, his mother had introduced a constitution in 1819 which created an assembly which at the time had more executive powers than any other assembly in Germany.[2]

In 1825 he constructed a Court Theatre. Among those to perform at the theatre were Albert Lortzing and Ludwig Devrient who were employed there from 1826 to 1833.[3]

In the last years of his reign the revolutions of 1848 broke out across all of Germany. Following his death in Detmold he was succeeded on the throne by his eldest son Leopold III.[4]

Prince Leopold was married in Arnstadt on 23 April 1820 to Princess Emilie of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen (1800–1867). They had nine children:

• Leopold III, Prince of Lippe (1821–1875), married to princess Elisabeth of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt (1833–1896) on 17 April 1852.
• Princess Luise of Lippe (1822–1887)
• Woldemar, Prince of Lippe (1824–1895), married to princess Sophie of Baden (7 August 1834 – 6 April 1904) on 9 November 1858.
• Princess Friederike of Lippe (1825–1897)
• Prince Friedrich of Lippe (1827–1854)
• Prince Hermann of Lippe (1829–1884)
• Alexander, Prince of Lippe (1831–1905)
• Prince Karl of Lippe (1832–1834)
• Princess Pauline of Lippe (1834–1906)