A princess from a mediatized house was not exactly the most advantageous catch. But Elisabeth was eager and willing (the house of Wied, like Leiningen, Thurn and Taxis, and Cro˙, had some success in contracting dynastic unions with sovereign houses). Plus, she was a Lutheran: her husband had already infuriated the Vatican by promising to raise all prospective children in the Orthodox faith. As such, he could hardly expect a Catholic bride to be willing to make the same sacrifice of a standing in the Church.
Sadly enough, the marriage turned out to be a disaster, personally and dynastically. The couple were totally mismatched, in terms of character and temperament. And it didn't help that they were unable to produce an heir (their only child, a daughter, died at the age of four). Hence, the designation of his nephew Ferdinand as heir ...
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