Ernst August of Hanover & Chantal Hochuli
Europe's most volatile prince divorced his Swiss wife, then married a princess and continued his pattern of violence.
Key Facts
What Happened
Ernst August, Prince of Hanover and head of the House of Hanover -- one of Europe's oldest royal families with historical ties to the British throne -- married Swiss socialite and heiress Chantal Hochuli in a civil ceremony on August 28, 1981, followed by a religious ceremony two days later. The couple had two sons: Prince Ernst August (born 1983) and Prince Christian (born 1985).
The marriage deteriorated over the years, though the specific reasons were never publicly detailed. What became increasingly public, however, was Ernst August's volatile temperament. His pattern of violent behavior would become infamous: assaulting a journalist with an umbrella in 1999, attacking a nightclub owner with a knuckleduster in Kenya in 2000 (resulting in a criminal conviction for aggravated assault), and publicly urinating on the Turkish Pavilion at Expo 2000 in Hanover, causing a diplomatic incident.
The couple divorced in London on October 23, 1997. The choice of London as the jurisdiction for the divorce was significant -- English courts are generally considered more favorable to the less wealthy spouse. Just two years later, Ernst August married Princess Caroline of Monaco in January 1999, shortly before the birth of their daughter Alexandra.
Ernst August's behavior continued to escalate after his second marriage. In 2020, he was convicted of injuring a police officer at his Austrian hunting lodge while intoxicated. He was banned from consuming alcohol and ordered to undergo treatment. By then, he was estranged from Princess Caroline as well, living separately in Austria. His story illustrates how patterns of violent behavior do not resolve themselves through divorce and remarriage.
Legal Breakdown: Pattern of violence and its role in divorce
Domestic Violence and Divorce
While the specific allegations within the marriage were kept private, Ernst August's extensive public record of violent behavior raises serious questions about the marriage environment. Modern divorce law provides specific protections for spouses experiencing domestic violence, including emergency protective orders, expedited proceedings, and favorable custody arrangements.
London as a Divorce Jurisdiction
London has long been known as the 'divorce capital of the world' for wealthy couples, as English courts tend to split assets more evenly than many continental European jurisdictions. The Hochuli family's decision to divorce in London rather than Germany or Monaco was likely a strategic choice to maximize Chantal's financial settlement.
Patterns of Behavior Across Relationships
Ernst August's violent behavior persisted through both marriages, eventually leading to estrangement from Princess Caroline as well. Research consistently shows that patterns of abusive behavior tend to follow individuals from relationship to relationship. Courts increasingly consider a party's behavioral history when making custody and protective order decisions.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →If your spouse has a pattern of violent behavior, document everything and seek legal protection immediately.
- →Jurisdiction shopping is a legitimate and important strategy in international divorce.
- →Abusive patterns do not change with a new partner -- if you see warning signs from a partner's past, take them seriously.
- →Criminal convictions for violence can and should be used as evidence in custody and divorce proceedings.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.