[1][2] Gottfried was born at Langenburg, Kingdom of Württemberg, the first child of Ernst II, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (1863–1950, son of Hermann, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg and Princess Leopoldine of Baden) and his wife, Princess Alexandra of Edinburgh (daughter of Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia).

[3][4] He served as an army officer in World War II, becoming severely injured at the Russian front.

Margarita was the daughter of Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and his wife, Princess Alice of Battenberg.

Margarita's younger brother Prince Philip in 1947 married Princess Elizabeth, daughter of Gottfried's second cousin, King George VI.

[6] Gottfried became an advocate for West German business interests, which included securing land leases in Liberia.