Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Sophie Evekink Marries in Germany

Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Sophie Evekink are married.

On May 20, a religious ceremony was held at the Theatiner Church in Munich, Germany, to marry Sophie Evekink, 34, to the eldest son of Princess Beatrix and Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, 40.

Duke Franz of Bavaria, the cousin of Prince Ludwig, threw a reception at Nymphenburg Palace after the wedding.

Duke Max of Bavaria, Franz's brother, and Prince Luitpold of Bavaria, Prince Ludwig's father, are the next in line to lead the Bavarian family in the future.

The German prince is King Ludwig III of Bavaria's final king and his great-great-grandson. The German Revolution of 1918 that followed World War I resulted in the dissolution of the monarchy, but the Bavarian royal dynasty ceremonially survived.

Prior to the event, a representative informed PEOPLE that the celebration would include local flavours and special touches from the participation of traditional Bavarian delegations in the ceremony and church to the culinary items.

Evekink selected a Reem Acra gown that was custom-made nearby in Bavaria and a WONA veil for her trip down the aisle. The local regional tailor Gabi Nitzl from Niederbayern created the page boys' and flower girls' attire, which was influenced by the traditional designs and colours of Bavaria.

The couple's date of first contact is uncertain, however, they announced their engagement in August 2022.

Prior to the nuptials, Prince Luitpold told Bild that he was eager to formally accept Sophie into the family.

"Ludwig made a good choice. My future daughter-in-law is a very intelligent and educated woman," he told the German outlet. "I hope they start a family soon. It is very gratifying that Ludwig is now more in Bavaria again."