Upcoming Wedding in the Royal House of Bavaria

Princess Philippa of Bavaria, the daughter of Prince Leopold, will marry on 12 May 2012 and the festivities are scheduled to take place at Schloß Hohenschwangau, one of the family's picturesque castles.

It has been two years since the last Bavarian royal wedding. Two years ago  Princess Augusta, daughter of Prince Ludwig, was married to Prince Ferdinand zur Lippe-Weißenfeld. Now Princess Philippa of Bavaria, 31, an interior designer, will marry film producer, Christian Dienst, 34.

Daughter of Prince Leopold and Princess Ursula, she is getting married in the romantic church of Wies in Steingaden. The marriage will be blessed by Abbot Johannes Eckert, from the Benedictine abbey of St. Boniface of Andechs. Prince Leopold is delighted: "It has always been my wish to see one of my children marry in the Church of Wies. It's beautiful."

The Prince is joyful as well: "We cannot impose in-laws, but we are very lucky. Christian is very affectionate, very considerate towards Philippa and has a good character. We wish a lot of grandchildren."

He hopes that the young couple enjoy in their union as much happiness as he has himself with his wife Ursula. "We've been together 43 years and never get bored. We always have something to say to the other and share a joyful life." 
Prince Leopold of Bavaria is considered a precursor of marriages that do not conform to old practices and ancient family rules, he does not care that his future son-in-law is a commoner. "I was first Wittelsbach to marry a commoner. They all love her today in the family. It is no longer important that a prince and princess marry. We are not so old fashioned. The important thing is that couples love each other. "

After the religious ceremony, the wedding festivities are scheduled to take place at Schloß Hohenschwangau, which once served as the summer residence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The pre-party will be held at the Hotel Lisl, opposite the castle. 

Princess Philippa was born in Starnberg, Bavaria, in 1981. She has three siblings: Manuel, who in 2005 married Princess Anna of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg; Maria del Pilar (b. 1978) and Konstantin (b. 1986). Prince Leopold has worked for many years as the public face of famed Bavarian motor company BMW. He is an avid enthusiast of race-car driving, a passion he shares with his good friends King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden and Prince Andreas of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha.