Who is Prince Heinrich XIII Reuss, the right-wing businessman at centre of Germany coup plot?

Heinrich XIII, descendant of a noble family, was arrested along with other far-right extremists for allegedly seeking to overthrow the government

The clan said it had cut ties with the real estate businessman 14 years ago, rejecting him as a ‘mad old man

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Prince Heinrich XIII Reuss was arrested at his home in Frankfurt on December 7. Photo: dpa via AP

Published: 1:29pm, 9 Dec 2022

A German prince, known for his desire to revive the country’s monarchy and rejected by his own family as a “mad old man”, has emerged as a central figure in an alleged coup plot.

Prince Heinrich XIII Reuss, descendant of a noble family with a history dating back over eight centuries, was supposed to be installed as Germany’s new leader if the bizarre plan had succeeded, officials say.

But he was arrested, along with other alleged plotters including a right-wing ex-MP and former soldiers, in a massive nationwide operation by thousands of German security forces on Wednesday.

The group are alleged members of the “Citizens of the Reich” (“Reichsbuerger”), an ideological movement grouping far-right extremists and conspiracy enthusiasts.

The suspected seditionists are said to have planned to storm parliament and had sketched out details of their new government.

Heinrich XIII, a real estate businessman, was arrested at his residence in Frankfurt and led out by police wearing masks.