German aristocrat and model laments her ‘Princess’ title and says it caused her problems at school

Princess Eugenia of Hanover says that her royal title ‘means nothing to her’ and claimed that it caused her to have problems at school. 

The German royal, who resides in Vienna, is the daughter of Prince Heinrich of Hanover, 64, who is the brother of Prince Ernst, the current head of the House of Hanover, and Princess Thyra von Westernhagern, 51.      

The Hanover clan are closely linked to the Monegasque royals, as Princess Eugenia’s uncle, Prince Ernst, is married to Princess Caroline of Monaco. Her cousin, Princess Alexandra of Hanover, is also Charlotte Casiraghi’s half sister because of the family’s cross over.

But having such regal connections hasn’t always been easy for Eugenia, who says that she struggled with her title growing up.

‘In school, I had some teachers that just didn’t like me because of it, and they also said some comments which were not very nice or reasonable,’ she told Tatler.

‘It also has bad sides, having this name… I am interested in the history of my family, but it doesn’t mean anything in general for living my day-to-day life.

‘In Germany, it is just a name and it actually doesn’t mean anything anymore. For me, it doesn’t mean anything because I don’t see myself as something different to others.’

The 23-year-old admitted that she ‘didn’t really care about school’ and was more interested in tending to her horses.

Eugenia said she would go to the stables every day and spend three to four hours there, before starting her homework at 11pm. 

She is now studying medicine at a prestigious institution in Vienna, following in her grandfather’s footsteps, as Prince Ernest Augustus of Hanover was an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) professor. 

But Eugenia still mixes in high society circles and has recently discovered her flair for fashion.

She has perhaps developed an interest after observing Princess Alexandra and Charlotte Casiraghi, who are often seen front and centre at Chanel runway shows. 

Eugenia also recently jetted off to Rome with luxury shoe brand Aquazzura with other aristocrats, including Princess Diana’s niece Lady Kitty Spencer, Emma Thynn, the Marchioness of Bath and Lady Lola Bute. 

The Princess has also begun her modelling career, using it as a respite from her intense medicine course.

She admitted that her parents, Prince Heinrich of Hanover and Princess Thyra von Westernhagern, were a ‘little apprehensive’ for her to go down this career path. 

But they soon came around to the idea, once her ‘scared’ mother travelled with her to photoshoots and saw that they were legitimate. 

Eugenia added: ‘Right now I’m very happy about my life. It’s very stable. I think if I only did fashion, then that could mess it up. I only have two more years to be a general doctor, there’s no point leaving now. It wouldn’t be worth it,’ she adds. 

The Princess’ comments regarding title comes as Charlotte Casiraghi – who is worth an estimated $30million – has seemingly tried to distance herself from the notion that she’s lived a gilded life. 

Speaking to The Telegraph last year to promote the Literary Rendezvous she hosts in her role as a Chanel ambassador, the eleventh in line to the Monégasque throne explained how she studied at ‘normal’ schools while growing up in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.

‘Never private schools, but schools with a lot of different social backgrounds. I wasn’t at a privileged school at all,’ she told the publication.  

As well as attending ‘normal’ schools, the royal explained how she previously took part in work experience at The Independent.

‘I wanted to be normal, I wanted to experience that harshness where people don’t give you any interest or any help and you’re on your own,’ she said.

Elsewhere, Charlotte made it clear that she craves ‘freedom’ and doesn’t enjoy ‘officially representing’ the Monaco Royal Family – despite joining her loved ones for various important events.

‘But this brings pressure, people judge you and expect a lot from you when you have official status. I prefer to be free,’ she explained, adding: ‘I always try to detach myself from this “royal” status.’

Charlotte – who counted Karl Lagerfeld as a family friend, is pals with model Naomi Campbell and is often seen on the front row of fashion shows alongside celebrities – also insisted that she ‘doesn’t understand why my private life should be of interest’.

The former equestrian, who now lives in Monaco, where she also organises health seminars at the principality’s hospital, said that being on the ‘outside’ of the Royal Family – with no official role or title – ‘allows more complexity and diversity’.

She noted how she often invites people to speak at her events who she doesn’t agree with as she wants to try and ‘confront ideas’.