Death of German prince who fell from horse ruled as an accident by coroner

A German prince killed after falling from his horse in the grounds of a Northamptonshire palace has had his death ruled as an accident by the county coroner.

Georg Constantin Prinz von Sachsen Weimar Eisenach died after falling from his horse in a bridleway at Apethorpe Palace, near Oundle, on Saturday, June 9 last year. But the inquest could not establish how he had fallen from his horse or how the fatal injuries had been inflicted.

The married prince (41) was out for an evening ride with his friend Jean Christophe Iseux, Baron von Pfetten, who owns the stately home. He had arrived at the venue earlier in the day from Germany to spend time with the baron, who was described as ‘almost a brother’ to the prince.

Baron von Pfetten broke into tears while giving evidence to coroner Anne Pember at County Hall in Northampton on Wednesday (January 9). He said he heard “no screaming” when he turned back to see the horse galloping back from where they had come, with the prince lying on the ground. He had been wearing a helmet.

He described Georg Constantin as a “very good rider” who had been riding with the horse during visits for the last three years. The baron rode to a nearby building on the estate to alert staff members to call the emergency services before returning to the scene.

Despite him administering chest compressions there was no sign of reaction. Paramedics arrived after being called at 8.30pm but declared the prince dead at 9.24pm.

“I thought I hadn’t done enough,” said the baron, before breaking down. He was told that there was “nothing that could have been done” in a report from the pathologist.

The court heard how the prince was well known back in Germany, but had enjoyed life in England with virtually no media intrusion.

Prince Georg Constantin