Queer Places:
Schloss Berg, 82335 Berg, Germany
Rose Island, 82335, Germany
Cimetière du Grand Jas de Cannes, 2 All. du Cimetière, 06400 Cannes, France
Prince Paul of Thurn and Taxis (May 27, 1843 - March 10, 1879) was a Bavarian nobleman who became a central figure in the private life of King
Ludwig II of Bavaria. His story is defined by a deep, intense bond with the monarch that eventually fractured under the
weight of social expectations and personal choices.
Born into the prominent Thurn and Taxis family, Paul was the third child of Maximilian Karl, 6th Prince of Thurn and Taxis. Following aristocratic tradition, he entered the Bavarian military and was appointed as an orderly officer to Crown Prince Ludwig in 1863. After Ludwig ascended to the throne in 1864, Paul was promoted to his personal aide-de-camp in 1865.
The friendship between Paul and Ludwig was highly intimate, characterized by a shared passion for Romanticism and the operas of Richard Wagner.
Their bond was deeply tied to the symbolism of Wagner’s works. Notably, during celebrations for Ludwig's 20th birthday in 1865, Paul famously appeared in a performance at Lake Alpsee dressed as Lohengrin, the mythical "Knight of the Swan," reflecting the King's obsession with Wagnerian themes.
The two spent significant time at Berg Palace and on the Roseninsel (Rose Island) in Lake Starnberg, where they would escape the rigid formalities of court life. Accounts of their time together include staged scenes from operas, poetry readings, and shared moments of leisure, such as setting off fireworks.
Historians frequently identify this relationship as a significant romantic attachment for Ludwig, who struggled with his sexuality throughout his life. Their correspondence was marked by deeply emotional language, with terms such as "my most beloved Angel" and "most precious Ludwig" reflecting the intensity of their connection.
The relationship began to deteriorate due to misunderstandings and Paul's inability to maintain the rigid emotional standards Ludwig required of his confidants.
Trivial social blunders and perceived failures in affection by Paul created unbearable tension for the King, leading to a final rupture.
In 1868, Paul entered a morganatic marriage with Elise Kreuzer, a commoner and actress. This choice led to his formal disownment by the Thurn and Taxis family, who stripped him of his titles and inheritance.
Despite his later efforts to regain favor and his request for a new noble title—which resulted in Ludwig granting him the title of Herr von Fels in 1868—the two never truly reconciled. Paul eventually settled in Cannes, where he died of tuberculosis in 1879 at the age of 35.
References:
 Homosexuals in History, A Study of Ambivalence in Society, Literature and the Arts, 1977 by A.L. Rowse |
Other references:
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