Heartbreak as Prussian royal dies aged 73 after a ‘long illness’ – as family reveal ‘deep sorrow’

Princess Donata of Prussia has passed away aged 73 following a “long illness”, her family has revealed. 

The House of Hohenzollern, Germany’s former royal family, shared an official statement expressing their “deep sorrow”, earlier this week. The Princess, who was the great-granddaughter of Wilhelm II, the last German Emperor, was known for her work in sports journalism, covering the Olympic Games and working as editor-in-chief of the Pferd & Sport magazine for decades.

Princess Donata was born in Bonn on December 24, 1952, with two younger brothers. She spent her final months in Salzhausen, a municipality in Lower Saxony. 

Despite her down-to-earth career, Princess Donata’s heritage connected several important royal dynasties from around the world. She was the daughter of Wilhelm Charles, Prince of Prussia and Grand Master of the Order of St. John, and Kira Kirillovna of Russia, granddaughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia and a member of the House of Romanov. She was also known as the Duchess of Oldenburg. 

Official statement 

An official news release on the royal family’s website read: “With deep sorrow, the House of Hohenzollern bids farewell to Princess Donata of Prussia (1952–2026).

“After a long illness, she passed away on 25 February at the age of 73. She was a great-granddaughter of the last German Emperor, Wilhelm II, and the daughter of Wilhelm Karl, Prince of Prussia, Herrenmeister (Master of the Knights) of the Order of St John.”

Speaking of her work, they added: “Professionally, she pursued an independent path: for decades, she shaped journalism in the field of equestrian sport. Her particular focus was on eventing, international breeding – especially Holsteiner horses – as well as major championships.” The family added that she had been a “respected voice in her field” during her lifetime.

Groundbreaking work and tributes 

Like Princess Anne and Zara Tindall, Princess Donata loved horses from childhood, with her father owning several of them. She made it her life’s work and competed in the German Junior Dressage Championships before working as a correspondent at the Olympic Games, World, and European Championships. She was awarded the prestigious Meteor Prize in 2018, a tribute to her life’s work. 

© Mark Cuthbert

Tributes have poured in since news of her death broke, with Jan Tönjes, president of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists, writing: “Donata was straightforward; she didn’t beat about the bush. But she was never emotional, rather sober – Prussian virtues. She was reflective and interested, and could also be politely aloof at times. On the other hand, she could also be enthusiastic. She could enthuse.”

Her Pferd & Sport colleagues have now paid tribute to her as an “intelligent, knowledgeable woman who always had a sharp sense of humor, both for people and for horses”.