Charles, Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg (1904–1990)

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Karl, Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg (Karl Friedrich Fürst zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg; 8 February 1904 – 23 August 1990) was a German Catholic nobleman who led the Central Committee of German Catholics after World War II.

Born in Kleinheubach, he was the son of Aloysius, Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg, and Josephine Countess Kinsky. He earned a Doctor of Law degree in Würzburg in 1928 and held various roles in Catholic student organizations before and during the early Nazi period. In the 1930s he expressed mixed views about the regime, admired aspects of Mussolini’s Italy, and, during the Nazi era, was a member of the SA and urged others to follow his example in 1934. After the war, he returned to public life and, on 6 September 1948, was elected President of the Central Committee of German Catholics, a position he held until 1967. In this role he promoted ecumenical dialogue and international Catholic cooperation, earning broad respect in post-war West Germany. He resigned in 1967 after public attention to his Nazi-era past.

Karl inherited the family title of Erbprinz in 1921 and became Fürst (Prince) in 1952 after his father’s death. In 1935 he married Carolina dei Conti Rignon; they had seven children: Princess Maria, Archduchess Joseph Arpad of Austria; Princess Josephine Aloisa; Princess Monika Maria; Princess Christina; Alois-Konstantin, Prince of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg; Princess Elizabeth-Alexandra; and Princess Lioba Ernestine.

Karl died on 23 August 1990 at Löwenstein Palace in Kleinheubach, Bavaria, aged 86.