Maximilian Maria, 7th Prince of Thurn and Taxis

Maximilian Maria Carl Joseph Gabriel Lamoral, 7th Prince of Thurn and Taxis, full German name: Maximilian Maria Carl Joseph Gabriel Lamoral Fürst von Thurn und Taxis (24 June 1862, Schloss Taxis, Dischingen, Kingdom of Württemberg – 2 June 1885, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany) was the seventh Prince of Thurn and Taxis and Head of the Princely House of Thurn and Taxis from 10 November 1871 until his death on 2 June 1885.

Maximilian Maria was the eldest of the two sons of Maximilian Anton Lamoral, Hereditary Prince of Thurn and Taxis and Duchess Helene in Bavaria. After the death of his father on 26 June 1867, he became heir apparent to the headship of the House of Thurn and Taxis. With the death of his grandfather Maximilian Karl, 6th Prince of Thurn and Taxis on 10 November 1871, he succeeded as Prince of Thurn and Taxis at the age of nine.

To prepare for his future office, Maximilian Maria received his education from Baron Carl von Geyr-Schleppenburg. Maximilian Maria attended no public school, but was given private lessons. Beginning in the Autumn of 1880, he studied philosophy, law, and economics at the Universities of Bonn, Strasbourg, and Göttingen. Since his youth, he was fascinated not only with riding and hunting, but also with the promotion of arts and sciences. He urged his archivist to establish and write a scientifically based history of the House of Thurn and Taxis.

To celebrate his achievements and the official takeover of the government business of the House of Thurn and Taxis, Maximilian Maria created generous foundations for the poor of the city of Regensburg and the surrounding countryside, and also for the restoration of the St. Emmeram's Abbey.

He died very young. His heart had been weakened by scarlet fever in childhood, and he suffered from severe heart spasms. In 1885, he died of a pulmonary embolism.

Titles and styles

• 24 June 1862 – 26 June 1867: His Serene Highness Prince Maximilian Maria of Thurn and Taxis
• 26 June 1867 – 10 November 1870: His Serene Highness The Hereditary Prince of Thurn and Taxis
• 10 November 1870 – 2 June 1885: His Serene Highness The Prince of Thurn and Taxis

Honours

• Grand Master of the Order of Parfaite Amitié
• Knight of the Austrian Order of the Golden Fleece