Born at Bückeburg Palace () in Bückeburg the seventh child of Adolf I, Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe (1817-1893) and Princess Hermine of Waldeck and Pyrmont (1827-1910).
Following the death of Prince Woldemar on the 20 March 1895 and the ascension of Woldemar's brother Alexander, Adolf was appointed to act as regent of Lippe due to Prince Alexander being unable to rule due to a mental illness.