Principality of Reuss-Greiz

The Principality of Reuss-Greiz (), called the Principality of the Reuss Elder Line () after 1848, was a sovereign state in modern Germany, ruled by members of the House of Reuss. The Counts Reuss of Greiz, Lower-Greiz and Upper-Greiz () were elevated to princely status in 1778 and thereafter bore the title of Prince Reuss, Elder Line, or Prince Reuss of Greiz.

Similarly to the more numerous Reuss Junior Line, the male members of this house were all named "Heinrich", in honour of Emperor Heinrich VI, who had benefited the family. They were numbered sequentially by birth, rather than by reign, with the last series beginning with Heinrich I (born 1693) and ending with Heinrich XXIV (1878–1927).

Territory
The principality of the Reuss Elder Line had an area of 317 km² and a population of 71,000 (1905). Its capital was Greiz.

In 1919, in the aftermath of World War I, the territory of the Elder Line was merged with that of the Junior Line as the People's State of Reuss, which was incorporated into the new state of Thuringia in 1920. The Elder Line died out in 1927 with the death of the childless Heinrich XXIV, after which its claims were passed to the Junior Line.

Princes of Reuss-Greiz (1778–1918)

 Heinrich XI, Count Reuss of Obergreiz from 1723, Untergreiz from 1768, 1st Prince 12 May 1778 – 1800 (1722–1800)
  Heinrich XIII, 2nd Prince 1800–1817 (1747–1817)
 Heinrich XIX, 3rd Prince 1817–1836 (1790–1836)
  Heinrich XX, 4th Prince 1836–1859 (1794–1859)
  Heinrich XXII, 5th Prince 1859–1902 (1846–1902)
  Heinrich XXIV, 6th Prince 1902–1918 (1878–1927)

Princes post-monarchy
Heinrich XXIV, 6th Prince 1918–1927 (1878–1927)

To Reuss Junior Line on the death of Prince Heinrich XXIV

Notable figures
Princess Hermine Reuss of Greiz, wife of former German Emperor Wilhelm II
Princess Caroline Reuss of Greiz, wife of Wilhelm Ernst, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach

See also
Flag of Germany, whose modern colors match those of the Reuss-Greiz principality

Category:States and territories disestablished in 1918
Category:States and territories established in 1778
Category:States of the Confederation of the Rhine
Category:Reuss
Category:States of the German Confederation
Category:States of the German Empire
Category:Upper Saxon Circle
Category:Former states and territories of Thuringia
* Elder
 
Category:1778 establishments in the Holy Roman Empire
Category:1918 disestablishments in Germany