Princess Emma of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym

Princess Emma of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym (20 May 1802 – 1 August 1858) was a German princess who was the consort of George II, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont.

Life Emma was one of the four daughters of the prince Victor II, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym from his marriage to Amelia of Nassau-Weilburg, daughter of Charles Christian, Prince of Nassau-Weilburg. She grew up with her sisters in Hoym in Anhalt and was carefully educated. Their great-uncle, Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym, had waived his right of succession in Schaumburg and the County of Holzappel in 1811 in favour of his great-niece, but in 1828 this decision was overruled.

After her husband's death in 1845, she ruled Waldeck and Pyrmont as Regent for her minor son George Victor. Among her first acts was a reform of the Waldeck contingent of the federal army, implemented in 1845 by Prussian officers. The Revolutions of 1848 took place during Emma's reign; in Waldeck they led to a new parliament being convened. Emma's reign has been described as an important phase in the history of Waldeck, with a complete overhaul of the organisation of the state.

The Emma Waterfall in the Gastein Valley was named after her, as was her granddaughter Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, who served as queen regent of the Netherlands. A double thaler issued in 1847 was known as Fat Emma.

Marriage and issue Emma married on 26 June 1823 at Schaumburg Castle, George II, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont. The couple had five children:

Princess Augusta of Waldeck-Pyrmont (1824–1893), married Prince Alfred of Stolberg-Stolberg (1820-1903) and had issue Joseph (1825–1829) Princess Hermine of Waldeck and Pyrmont (1827–1910), married Prince Adolf I George of Schaumburg-Lippe George Victor (1831–1893), married Princess Helena of Nassau and secondly Princess Louise of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg; father of Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont and grandfather of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands Walrad (1833–1867)

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