Background
He was the eldest son of Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and his first wife Princess Charlotte of Prussia. He had one full sister, Princess Marie Elisabeth, and several half-brothers by his father"s second marriage.
He was the eldest son of Georg II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen and his first wife Princess Charlotte of Prussia. He had one full sister, Princess Marie Elisabeth, and several half-brothers by his father"s second marriage.
Bernhard assumed the duchy of Saxe-Meiningen after the death of his father in 1914. His short reign was affected by World War I. When Germany lost the war, all the German princes lost their titles and states. Bernhard was forced to abdicate as duke on 10 November 1918, and spent the rest of his life in his former country as a private citizen.
1 April 1851 - 20 September 1866: His Serene Highness Prince Bernhard of Saxe-Meiningen 20 September 1866 - 25 June 1914: His Highness The Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Meiningen 25 June 1914 - 16 January 1928: His Highness The Duke of Saxe-Meiningen.
German Archaeological Institute. Hellenic Philological Society of Constantinople.