Background
Elisabeth was born on 26 March 1826 in Hildburghausen.
Elisabeth was born on 26 March 1826 in Hildburghausen.
By marriage, she became Grand Duchess of Oldenburg. Her official title was Princess Elisabeth of Saxe-Hildburghausen until later that year, when her family moved to Altenburg as a result of a transfer of territories among the various branches of the Ernestine Wettins. Elisabeth then took the title Princess Elisabeth of Saxe-Altenburg.
In 1834, her father succeeded as Duke of Saxe-Altenburg, but was forced to abdicate in the civil revolution of 1848 due to the conservative, anti-reform nature of his government.
Her sisters included Queen Marie of Hanover (wife of George V of Hanover) and Grand Duchess Alexandra Iosifovna of Russia (wife of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich of Russia). Through Alexandra, Elisabeth was an aunt of Queen Olga of Greece.
Titles and styles 26 March 1826 – 12 November 1826: Her Highness Princess Elisabeth of Saxe-Hildburghausen 12 November 1826 – 10 February 1852: Her Highness Princess Elisabeth of Saxe-Altenburg 10 February 1852 – 27 February 1853: Her Royal Highness The Hereditary Grand Duchess of Oldenburg 27 February 1853 – 2 February 1896: Her Royal Highness The Grand Duchess of Oldenburg.