High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (German: Ernst II August Herzog von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha; 21 June 1818 – 22 August 1893) was the second sovereign duke of the German duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, reigning from 1844 to his death. Ernest Augustus Charles John Leopold Alexander Edward (German: Ernst August Karl Johann Leopold Alexander Eduard) was born in Coburg as the eldest child of Ernest III, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and his duchess, Princess Louise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg. Fourteen months later, his family would be joined by one brother, Prince Albert, later consort of Queen Victoria. Their father became Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1826 through an exchange of territories.