Ernst-Ludwig, or Ernst-Louis, was called Ernie within the family. He had, like his sister, Aleksandra, an intensely romantic view of the world. A handsome man who always dressed well, he was devoted to beauty, the arts, poetry and music. Ernie was also very shy, though not as severely as Aleksandra. In 1892, at the age of 23, he became Grand Duke of Hesse and began to patronise German artists, architects and sculptors. This resulted in the establishment of the Artist's Colony at Matildenhohe in Darmstadt. The Artists Colony was like a Art Nouveau Disneyland, intended to inspire Germans to build artistic, well designed homes and cottages. Exhibitions of furniture, art and applied arts were held and were quite popular, having a significant impact on the promotion of Art Noveau in Germany and abroad. They did not appeal to everyone, Nickolas complained in his diary about the 'disgusting' furniture' which 'passes for art' which he saw at Matildenhohe.

During his frequent trips to visit his two sisters in Russia, Ernie would often stay with his wife in the English Suite in the Alexander Palace. One of his favorite pastimes was rearranging the palace furniture in more 'artistic' groupings. A bust of Ernie was erected in the Maple Room.

Ernie married twice. His first marriage was to a first cousin, Victoria-Melita (Ducky), a striking woman who left him after the death of their only child, Elizabeth, in 1903. Ducky may have had a problem with Ernie's bisexuality, which was widely known and gossiped about. When she left him she had been carrying on an affair with Grand Duke Kyril of Russia. Ducky divorced Ernie and married Cyril. Naturally, this inflamed Nickolas and especially Alexandra; not only because she had scandalised the world by leaving Ernie, but also because Kyril was a Romanov in line for the throne and he was required to get the Tsar's permission before marrying. Nickolas then issued a degree barring Kyril and any children from the relationship, from the line of succession. For some reason, which has never been completely explained, Aleksandra felt compelled to receive Ducky at court and Kyril was allowed to return from exile to Russia.

Ernie later married Eleanore in 1905 and they had several children. When the First World War broke out Ernie, though he was more English than German - speaking English in his Hessian palace, found himself on the German side. This meant he was separated from three of his four sisters, including Aleksandra and Elizabeth in Russia. In 1918 he was deposed, along with all the other German Princes. Ernie died in 1937.

• 1 Elizabeth Of Hesse