Background
He was born Prince Ludwig August Maria Eudes of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha at the Château d"Eu in France. He was the second son of Prince August of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Clémentine of Orléans. His father was a first cousin of Victoria of the United Kingdom and her consort, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.