Early Life
Henry was born on 5 October 1858 in Milan, Lombardy–Venetia. His father was Prince Alexander of Hesse and by Rhine, the third son and fourth child of Grand Duke Ludwig II of Hesse and Wilhelmina of Baden. His mother was Julia Therese née Countess of Hauke.
His parents' marriage was a morganatic marriage, as Julia was not considered a proper wife for a Prince, being only a Countess. As such, at the time of his birth, Henry could not take his title from his father, and was styled His Illustrious Highness Count Henry (Heinrich) Maurice of Battenberg. On 21 December 1858, Henry's mother was created Princess of Battenberg with the style Her Serene Highness. Henry inherited this style and became His Serene Highness Prince Henry of Battenberg.
Prince Henry received a military education and took up a commission as a lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of the Rhenish Hussars in the Prussian Army. He served in the Prussian Garde du Corps and was also Honorary Colonel of the 1st Infantry Regiment of Bulgaria, where his brother Alexander was Prince.
Read more about this topic: Prince Henry Of Battenberg
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