Mysterious Facts About Ludwig II, The Fairy Tale King
“Mad” King Ludwig led a forbidden double life. He entertained a succession of gay lovers and spent millions on fairytale castles and lavish works of art.
Living in his own enchanted dream world, the king failed to see the enemies at his back—and it led to one of the most twisted ends in history.
1. His Destiny Frightened Him
As the eldest son of Maximilian II of Bavaria and Marie of Prussia, Ludwig II entered a world of dazzling royalty and luxury—and his father never let him forget it. From the moment he was born in 1845, the pressures of duty began to stalk him. There was a chilling duality in his life. Despite the pampering and the indulgence, a cloud of expectation hung over him—and it molded his personality in the most unsettling way.
2. He Cowered Under Pressure
With his royal destiny sprawling out before him, young Ludwig rigorously prepared for his future duties. His tutors ruled him with an iron fist, laying down the law with an intense study and exercise regimen. The making of a prince was no easy task, but as Ludwig grew into a man, it became increasingly clear that he was a little bit...odd.
3. He Lived In His Head
Simply put, Ludwig's future reign was already doomed: He wasn't cut out to be a king. At his core, he was a lover of the arts and architecture—and his childhood served as the calm before the storm. He passed many joyous days at a fantasy-like castle that his father had built, Castle Hohenschwangau. Losing himself in this real-life fairy tale, Ludwig became an avid daydreamer and lived an insular life—but these eccentricities weren't the only things that set him apart.
4. He Chased The Fairy Tale
In 1863, Ludwig was assigned an orderly officer name Prince Paul—and the resulting intimacy changed his life forever.
That autumn, the two adolescents spent three unforgettable weeks in each other's company: they went riding together, recited poetry for one another, and above all, shared a deep love for Richard Wagner.
It was the beginning of Ludwig's most impassioned relationship, but—like everything else in the prince's life—it would only end in unspeakable heartbreak.
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