[citation needed] Wilhelm was born on 19 March 1817 in Stuttgart, Germany, as the eldest son of Prince Wilhelm of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg (1783–1847) and his wife, Dorothea Christine von Kahlden (1791–1860).

Wilhelm received a humanistic education by private teachers, and he studied science at the University of Bonn.

[1] He also studied law, political economy, philosophy, and art history.

His friend from this time of studies was Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, who became the husband of Queen Victoria.

Wilhelm married Countess Olga Clara von Schönburg-Glauchau (1831–1868) on 20 April 1852 in Pillnitz bei Dresden.