Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and his wife, Sophie-Alexandra Evekink, shared the happy news that they have welcomed their first child on Tuesday. An announcement posted on the Bavarian royal family's Instagram, accompanied by a beautiful illustration of a stork carrying a blue handkerchief, read: "Princess Sophie and Prince Ludwig of Bavaria are delighted to announce the birth of their first child. "Prince Rupprecht Theodor Maria was born on August 6, 2024 in Munich.
"Mother and child are in excellent health, the young family are now enjoying their first days together." News of Princess Sophie's pregnancy was announced when she gave a lecture on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals and said that she wouldn't be able to take part in the annual Löwenmarsh (Lion's March) fundraising run, as it was too close to her due date. Prince Rupprecht, a name which means "bright" and "fame," from the German terms hrōd and berht, appears to have been named after his ancestor, Crown Prince Rupprecht, who was the eldest child of Ludwig III, the last King of Bavaria.
As the tot is a boy, he is fourth in the line of succession behind his father Ludwig. The crown is only hereditary among the male descendants of the royal House of Wittelsbach. Franz, Duke of Bavaria is the current head of the House of Wittelsbach and has been with his partner, Thomas Greinwald, since 1980.
As Franz has never fathered any children, his heir presumptive is his brother, Prince Max, followed by Ludwig'.