A “fake royal prince” has been exposed for reportedly arranging a “loveless” marriage to a wealthy steel heiress, as reported by The Sun. His Serene Highness Dr Donatus – who uses his “fake” royal title after paying to be adopted by a minor royal after finding a loophole in German law – married Dr Viola Hallman in 2006.
The paper reports that Donatus was previously adopted by Katharina Feodora, Princess of Hohenzollern, in around 2003. This made him a Prince of Hohenzollern, with Viola – heiress of the Theis steel business, becoming Dr Viola Christa, Princess of Hohenzollern.
The pair are believed to have lived in a medieval castle in Haelen, the Netherlands, after their wedding, which was believed to have been “loveless” and for “convenience”, with Viola wanting to reportedly become a princess.
A former housekeeper who knew the couple said: “There was no intimacy. He married her for the money and she got to become a princess.”
Viola then died of cancer in 2012, with Donatus reportedly giving the inheritance she left behind to her daughter rather than keeping it for himself.
He has since told The Sun that he was happy with his wife, and tried to debunk the claims made by their former housekeeper.
He said: “I made my wife very happy over seven years of our marriage, which were very good years, until her sudden death.”
Donatus continued: “We lived on our estates in several countries. However, if you have staff in your household, you don’t need enemies anymore: They are helpless in their hate of whom they serve and kick back in creative ways, compensating their own weak social standing.”
Despite his wife’s sad death in 2012, Donatus — who has met King Charles before — has continued mixing with those in high society Britain using his adopted royal title, much to the annoyance of the genuine Prince of Hohenzollern Karl Friedrich.
The german prince Karl Friedrich has told The Sun: “It makes me angry and frustrated, it leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth. Donatus is not my blood, he is not a member of the German royal family, he is simply a non-royal name bearer. He certainly cannot use the moniker of Serene Highness.”
It is believed that Donatus now lives in Surrey.
