Prince Heinrich VIII Reuss of Köstritz

Heinrich VIII was born at Gera, Germany, second child and first son of Prince Heinrich I Reuss of Köstritz (1910–1982), (son of Prince Heinrich XXXIV Reuss of Köstritz, and Princess Sophie Renata Reuss of Köstritz) and his wife, Duchess Woizlawa Feodora of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (born 1918), (daughter of Duke Adolf Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Princess Viktoria Feodora Reuss of Schleiz).

His mother was one of the only remaining members of the House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, after her cousins (twice-removed), Donata and Edwina. He is in the line of succession to the British throne being descendant of George II of Great Britain. He is second cousin to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, both being descendants of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Heinrich VIII married on 14 June 1973 at Basthorst to Baroness Dorit von Ruffin (born 1948), daughter of Baron Franz von Ruffin, and his wife, Carla Busson.

They had two sons:

• Prince Heinrich XX Reuss of Köstritz (born 24 November 1975), married in 2017 Marie Steinhoff
• Prince Heinrich XXIII Reuss of Köstritz (born 1 May 1979)

• The Royal House of Stuart, London, 1969, 1971, 1976, Addington, A. C., Reference: II 213