Joachim Ernst, Duke of Anhalt
Monarch of Anhalt (1918–1918)
Joachim Ernst, Duke of Anhalt (Joachim Ernst Wilhelm Karl Albrecht Leopold Friedrich Moritz Erdmann; 11 January 1901 – 18 February 1947) was the last ruler of the Duchy of Anhalt, a state of the German Empire, from 13 September to 12 November 1918.
Thus Joachim Ernst was the last ruler of a constituent state within the German Empire to succeed to the throne before the abolition of the German monarchies in 1918, and the only German monarch to be born in the 20th century. His abdication ended the rule of the House of Ascania in central Germany, which had lasted since the 11th century.
Biography
Early life
Prince Joachim Ernst was born on 11 January 1901 in Dessau, the then capital of the small duchy of Anhalt in central Germany. He was the fourth child and eldest surviving son of Prince Eduard of Anhalt (1861–1918) and Princess Louise Charlotte of Saxe-Altenburg (1873–1953). His father was the third son of the then reigning Duke Friedrich I of Anhalt (1831–1904) and his wife Princess Antoinette of Saxe-Altenburg (1838–1908), and his mother was a daughter of Prince Moritz of Saxe-Altenburg (1829–1907) and his wife Princess Augusta of Saxe-Meiningen (1843–1919).
Reign
He succeeded his father as Duke of Anhalt on 13 September 1918. However, due to his age, his uncle Prince Aribert of Anhalt was appointed regent. His brief reign came to an end on 12 November 1918, with his uncle abdicating in his name following the German revolution. As a result of this revolution, the monarchy of Anhalt was abolished along with the other monarchies of the German states, ending the House of Ascania's rule in central Germany, which had lasted for almost a millennium since the 11th century.
“Joachim Ernst, Duke of Anhalt” enters the record as monarch of Anhalt (1918–1918). Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Joachim, Ernst and Duke can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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Chronology provides the most reliable spine for this subject; interpretation should follow only after identities and dates are secure. The source revision retrieved here is dated Jun 9, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q62579. VIAF identifies the subject as 3574167202637567930002. 1 of 2 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 1901, 1947, 1918 and 1861.
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