Linderhof Palace
King Ludwig and Linderhof Palace Since my first trip to Germany I have had a fascination with King Ludwig, likely because his life and death are shrouded with such mystery. King Ludwig II was born Ludwig Otto Friedrich Wilhelm on 25 August 1845, he was the king of Bavaria from the age of 18 when his father unexpectedly died to his own untimely death on 13 June 1886. King Ludwig has been called the “Mad King”, the “Swan King” and the “Fairy Tale King” over time. Once King Ludwig ascended the throne there was increased pressure on him to marry and produce an heir; Ludwig was engaged to Duchess Sophie Charlotte of Bavaria. She was his cousin and the younger sister of his dear friend Elisabeth Empress of Austria. Ludwig originally agreed to this engagement but as time wore on he continued to postpone the wedding date and finally ended the engagement altogether in 1867. Ludwig never did marry and he is not tied to any mistresses, this is probably because he was a homosexual wh...