 Raphael Rainer was born at Regensburg, Germany, the sixth son of Albert, 8th Prince of Thurn and Taxis and his wife Archduchess Margarethe Klementine of Austria Prince Raphael Rainer had six brothers and a sister.One of his brothers was Prince Max Emanuel of Thurn and Taxis (1902–1994), a member of the Order of Saint Benedict known as Pater Emmeram.Raphael Rainer received a humanistic education by private teachers.