Gloria von Thurn und Taxis and the Schlossfestspiele row with Peter Maffay
A dispute with singer Peter Maffay at the Regensburger Schlossfestspiele has put Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, one of Germany's most combative aristocrats, back in the spotlight.
Gloria von Thurn und Taxis clashed publicly with singer Peter Maffay at the Regensburger Schlossfestspiele, where Maffay gave a speech appealing against hatred and extremism. A video of the princess posted on Instagram drew further attention to the dispute, returning one of Germany's most combative aristocrats to the spotlight.
Gloria von Thurn und Taxis has become embroiled in a public dispute with the singer Peter Maffay at the Regensburger Schlossfestspiele, held at her family's palace in Regensburg. Maffay used a speech at the event to appeal against hatred and extremism, and, according to reports, described the venue itself as a "burdened" place because of its political associations. A video of Gloria von Thurn und Taxis posted on Instagram drew further attention after the confrontation. The princess, born a Countess of Schönburg-Glauchau, became famous in the 1980s as a jet-set figure nicknamed "Princess TNT". After the death of her husband Johannes in 1990, she took over the management of the Thurn and Taxis family assets, including Schloss St. Emmeram. Since around 2000 she has drawn attention for polarizing statements that critics link to Catholic and New Right circles. The row matters because it lays bare the tension between the festival's artistic stage and its host's combative politics. Earlier this year she told the Berliner Zeitung that the climate emergency was "certainly the greatest fraud".
The clash with Peter Maffay at the Schlossfestspiele
The Regensburger Schlossfestspiele, held on the grounds of the Thurn and Taxis family's Schloss St. Emmeram, became the setting for a public confrontation between the princess and one of Germany's best-known musicians. Peter Maffay used the event to deliver a speech appealing against hatred and extremism. According to reporting by German outlets, he also described the venue as a "burdened" place because of its political associations — a characterisation attributed to the reporting rather than confirmed independently.
A dispute involving Gloria von Thurn und Taxis followed. A video of her, posted on Instagram, drew attention in the aftermath of the row, circulating widely as German media picked up the story.
Much about the incident remains unclear. The exact date of the confrontation has not been established. What Gloria von Thurn und Taxis said or did during the dispute is not known, nor is the content of the Instagram video. How either Maffay or the princess responded publicly afterwards has also not been reported.
From 'Princess TNT' to head of the Thurn and Taxis estate
Gloria von Thurn und Taxis was born a Countess of Schönburg-Glauchau. In 1980 she married Johannes, 11th Prince of Thurn and Taxis, wearing a tiara at the wedding that would later be stolen in a robbery at the Louvre.
Through the 1980s she was a fixture of the European jet-set. Her extravagant, punk-influenced style earned her the nickname "Princess TNT", and she became one of the most recognisable society figures of the decade.
Her husband died in 1990. After his death she took over management of the Thurn and Taxis family's assets, among them Schloss St. Emmeram in Regensburg, the vast princely palace that remains her residence. The shift recast her from party-going aristocrat to businesswoman, responsible for one of Germany's great noble fortunes. She has since been described as an art collector, artist and traditionalist Catholic activist, roles that have kept her in public view long after her jet-set years ended.
Gloria von Thurn und Taxis married and wore a tiara at the wedding that was later stolen in a robbery at the Louvre.
She became known as part of the European jet-set and was nicknamed 'Princess TNT' for her extravagant, punk-influenced style.
Her husband, Johannes, 11th Prince of Thurn and Taxis, died.
Following her husband's death, she took over management of the Thurn und Taxis family assets, including Schloss St. Emmeram.
She drew attention for polarizing statements that critics associate with Catholic and New Right circles and with conspiracy narratives.
She turned 65, was described as one of Germany's most combative aristocrats, and stated in a Berliner Zeitung interview that the climate emergency was certainly the greatest fraud; she also plans to o
Climate 'fraud' remarks and a combative public profile
Since around the turn of the millennium, Gloria von Thurn und Taxis has built a reputation for polarizing public statements. Critics have linked her positions to conservative Catholic and New Right circles, and at times to conspiracy narratives. The princess, a traditionalist Catholic activist as well as an art collector and artist, has rarely retreated from controversy.
One of her most striking interventions came in an interview with the Berliner Zeitung, in which she described the climate emergency as "certainly the greatest fraud." The remark, delivered by a woman the paper presented as a mother and author, reinforced her image as a figure who courts confrontation rather than avoids it.
She turned 65 in 2025 and is widely regarded as one of Germany's most combative aristocrats — a standing that has shaped how each new dispute involving her, including the recent row at the Schlossfestspiele, is received.
A stolen tiara and a hotel plan for the palace
The tiara that Gloria von Thurn und Taxis wore at her 1980 wedding was stolen during a robbery at the Louvre in Paris. When the theft took place, and whether the piece has been recovered, remain unclear.
Back in Regensburg, she has plans of her own for the family seat. She intends to open a luxury hotel in the princely palace, Schloss St. Emmeram, where she resides and which she has managed since taking over the Thurn and Taxis assets following her husband's death in 1990. The timing of the hotel project and its current status are not yet known.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Gloria von Thurn und Taxis?
Gloria von Thurn und Taxis is a German businesswoman and socialite, born a Countess of Schönburg-Glauchau. She married Johannes, 11th Prince of Thurn and Taxis, in 1980. In the 1980s she belonged to the European jet-set and was nicknamed 'Princess TNT' for her extravagant, punk-influenced style. After her husband died in 1990, she took over management of the Thurn und Taxis family assets, including Schloss St. Emmeram in Regensburg.
What happened between Gloria von Thurn und Taxis and Peter Maffay at the Schlossfestspiele?
A public disagreement occurred at the Regensburger Schlossfestspiele involving Gloria von Thurn und Taxis and singer Peter Maffay. At the event, Maffay delivered a speech appealing against hatred and extremism. According to reports, Maffay described the venue as a 'burdened' place because of political associations. A video posted on Instagram showing Gloria von Thurn und Taxis drew attention following the dispute.
Was Gloria von Thurn und Taxis's tiara stolen from the Louvre?
A tiara that Gloria von Thurn und Taxis wore at her 1980 wedding was stolen during a robbery at the Louvre in Paris. The briefing does not say when the robbery occurred or whether the tiara was recovered.
What did Gloria von Thurn und Taxis say about climate change?
In an interview with the Berliner Zeitung, Gloria von Thurn und Taxis described the climate emergency as certainly the greatest fraud. Since around the turn of the millennium she has drawn attention for polarizing statements that critics link to Catholic and New Right circles and to conspiracy narratives. She is regarded as one of Germany's most combative aristocrats.
What are Gloria von Thurn und Taxis's plans for the Regensburg palace?
Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, who turned 65 in 2025, plans to open a luxury hotel in the Regensburg princely palace, Schloss St. Emmeram, which she has managed since her husband's death in 1990. The briefing does not say when the hotel is planned to open or what its current status is.
Compiled from reporting by 14 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
