was attended by 2,500 guests, including the then-incumbent Minister-President of Bavaria, Horst Seehofer. In 2016, he became the donor of the project of restoration of the Statue of St. John of Nepomuk in Divina, Slovakia, realised under auspices of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Slovakia. The project was honoured by patronage of Norodom Sihamoni, the king of Cambodia and Simeon II, the last tsar of Bulgaria. The project was completed in the year 2017. Personal life Duke Franz has a longtime partner, Thomas Greinwald, although they have never married. In August 2011, the duke appeared at Prince George Frederick of Prussia's wedding, accompanied by Greinwald and his first cousin once removed (and future heir) Prince Ludwig. They also sat for a photo portrait for Erwin Olaf that was widely published in spring 2021. Succession rights Franz has never married. The heir presumptive to the headship of the House of Wittelsbach is his brother Prince Max, Duke in Bavaria. Because Max has five daughters but no sons, he is followed in the line of succession by his and Franz's first cousin (second cousin in the male line) Prince Luitpold and, in the next generation, by the latter's son Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (born 1982). Link to the Stuarts Franz is a direct descendant of the House of Stuart. Were it not for the Act of Settlement 1701, Franz would be the successor to the British and Irish crowns of the Stuart kings. His spokesman has, however, made it clear that this is a purely "hypothetical issue", not a claim that he pursues. Franz personally offered his condolences to the British royal family on the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Titles, styles and honours Titles and styles Franz is traditionally styled as His Royal Highness the Duke of Bavaria, of Franconia and in Swabia, Count Palatine of the Rhine. Franz was styled Prinz von Bayern at birth. In 1996, after the death of his father, he changed his style to Herzog von Bayern ('Duke of Bavaria'). Honours : Commander's cross (Großes Verdienstkreuz) of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany : Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Protector Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Obedience of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, 1st Class Sovereign Military Order of Malta: Knight Grand Cross of the Order