what is considered the "House of Ascania", itself from the Billung dynasty, traced back ultimately to the Count Wichmann (Wychmannus comes) in 811 AD. If Eduard died without male issue, the House would be considered extinct. The male line of Ascanians survives, however, in the Counts von Westarp, descendants of Prince Franz of Anhalt-Bernburg-Schaumburg-Hoym and his morganatic wife Karoline Westarp and the Counts von Waldersee who descend from Count Franz Johann von Waldersee (1763–1823), illegitimate son of Leopold III, Duke of Anhalt-Dessau (1740–1817) and his mistress Eleonore Hofmeyer (1739–1816). In 2010 Eduard modified the House of Anhalt-Ascania Laws, abolishing the Salic or Semi-Salic laws; recognising his first born daughter as his heir; and ruling that gender would in future be irrelevant in determining the line of descent. Dynastic honours House of Ascania: Sovereign Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Ducal Order of Albert the Bear Two Sicilian Royal Family: Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Justice and Honour with Collar of the Two Sicilian Royal Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George Ancestry References External links Official website of the Ducal Family of Anhalt Order of Albert the Bear German royalty Princes of Anhalt Dukes of Anhalt 1941 births Living people Sons of monarchs