Eugen Maximilianovich, 5th Duke of Leuchtenberg


Eugen Maximilianovich Romanowsky, 5th Duke of Leuchtenberg, Prince Romanowsky was a son of Maximilian de Beauharnais, 3rd Duke of Leuchtenberg and Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia Duke of Leuchtenberg. He succeeded his brother Nicholas Maximilianovich as Duke of Leuchtenberg from 1891 until his death.

Early life

Eugen Maximilianovich was born in Saint Petersburg in 1847, as the second son and fifth child of Maximilian de Beauharnais, 3rd Duke of Leuchtenberg and Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia. After the death of his father in 1852, Eugen's older brother Nicolas became the fourth Duke of Leuchtenberg. When he died without an heir in 1891, Eugen became the fifth Duke, until his death in 1901. He was then succeeded by his younger brother George.
On 18 December 1852, after the death of their father, all the children of Duke Maximilian were allowed to wear the princely name and title of Romanowsky, and were styled Imperial Highness.

Marriages

In 1869, he married Daria Konstantinowa Opotschinina, the granddaughter of Mikhail Kutuzov: she was made Countess of Beauharnais.
In 1878 he married Zeneïde Dmitrijewna Skobelew , sister to the Russian general Mikhail Skobelev. Zina later had an open long-term affair with Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia.

Career

Eugen was a Division General in the Imperial Russian Army. In 1872-1873, he participated in the attack on Khiva and was awarded the Order of St. George, fourth degree. Between 1874 and 1877 he was commander of the Alexandria 5th Hussars. For his work in the Russo-Turkish War in 1877, he received the Order of St. Vladimir third class. He became a Lieutenant general in 1886, and was commander of the 37th Infantry Division from 1888 until 1893.
He died in 1901 in St. Petersburg, and is buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles