Ludwig III of Bavaria - Regent of Bavaria

Regent of Bavaria

On 12 December 1912, Ludwig's father Luitpold died. Luitpold had been an active participant in the deposition of his nephew, King Ludwig II of Bavaria, and had also acted as Prince Regent for his other nephew, King Otto of Bavaria. King Otto had been judged to be mentally incapable of ruling. Ludwig immediately succeeded his father as Prince Regent.

Almost immediately there were certain elements in the press and other groups in society called for Ludwig to be installed as King of Bavaria instead of Prince Regent. The Bavarian Legislature was not, however, currently in session, and did not meet until 29 September 1913. On 4 November 1913, the Legislature amended the constitution of Bavaria to include a clause specifying that if a regency for reasons of incapacity had lasted for ten years with no expectation that the king would ever be able to reign, the regent could proclaim the end of the regency and the demise of the crown, with such action to be ratified by the Legislature. The amendment received broad party support in the Lower Chamber where it was carried by a vote of 122 in favour, and 27 against. In the Senate there were only six votes against the amendment. The next day, 5 November 1913, Ludwig announced to the Legislature the end of the regency and deposed his first cousin King Otto. The Legislature recognised Ludwig as King Ludwig III of Bavaria.