Peter, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, from 1965 Duke of Schleswig-Holstein (German: Friedrich Ernst Peter; 30 April 1922 – 30 September 1980), was the seventh Duke of Schleswig-Holstein and Head of the House of Oldenburg from 1965 until his death.[1][2]
Peter was born on 30 April 1922 in Louisenlund Palace, Schleswig-Holstein. He was the third son of Prince Friedrich of Glücksburg and his wife Princess Marie Melita of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. His father was the fifth child and only son of Friedrich Ferdinad, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein in his marriage to Princess Karoline Mathilde of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg. His mother was the daughter of Ernst II, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg in his marriage to Princess Alexandra of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who was herself the granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Tsar Alexander II of Russia.[2]
However, his grandfather lost his title when the monarchies were abolished in Germany in the November Revolution of 1918. Unofficially, however, the use of the ducal title continued even after 1918. In 1931, the grandfather also became head of the House of Oldenburg and pretender to the throne in Schleswig-Holstein, when the Augustenborg branch of the princely house became extinct that year.[1][2]
Prince Hans Albrecht's grandfather, Duke Friederich Ferdinand died on 21 January 1934, after which his father became head of the family, while Peter's older brother Hans Albrecht became hereditary prince. Hereditary Prince Hans Albrecht fell during World War II on 10 August 1944. When the other older brother Prince William Alfred had died in 1926, Peter thus became heir to the title of Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksborg with the title of hereditary prince.[1][2]
Duke Frederik died at the age of 73 on 10 February 1965 in Coburg, Bavaria, after which Peter became head of the family.
Duke Peter died on 30 September 1980 at the Binebæk estate in Schleswig-Holstein. He was succeeded as head of the family by his eldest surviving son, Prince Christoph.[1]
On 9 October 1947, Peter married Princess Marie Alix of Schaumburg-Lippe (daughter of Prince Stephan of Schaumburg-Lippe and his wife Princess Ingeborg Alix of Oldenburg).
Peter and Marie Alix had four children:
