Otto von Habsburg
| Otto | |
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| Crown Prince of Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia | |
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| Otto von Habsburg, Vienna, 1998. | |
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| Reign | 1 April 1922 – January 2007 |
| Predecessor | Charles I of Austria |
| Successor | Archduke Karl |
| Spouse | Princess Regina of Saxe-Meiningen and Hildburghausen (1951–2010) |
| Issue | |
| Archduchess Andrea, Hereditary Countess of Neipperg Archduchess Monika, Duchess of Santangelo Archduchess Michaela, Countess of Kageneck Archduchess Gabriela Archduchess Walburga, Countess Douglas Archduke Karl Archduke Georg |
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| House | House of Habsburg-Lorraine |
| Father | Charles I of Austria |
| Mother | Zita of Bourbon-Parma |
| Born | 20 November 1912 Reichenau an der Rax, Austria-Hungary |
| Signature |  |
Otto von Habsburg (born 20 November 1912), also known as Otto Habsburg-Lothringen in Austria, was the head of the House of Habsburg and heir to the thrones of the former Austria-Hungary, now Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has been the Habsburg pretender to the Austrian throne since 1922.
The eldest son of Charles I, the last Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, and his wife, Zita of Bourbon-Parma, Otto was Crown Prince from 1916 to 1918 and since his father's death in 1922, has been the Habsburg pretender to the thrones of Austria-Hungary (which, except for Austria and Hungary, also included the Kingdoms of Bohemia and Croatia, as well as other territories).
He is honorary president of the International Paneuropean Union and a former member of the European Parliament for the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU). He also influenced the creation of the Black-Yellow Alliance.
Otto lives in Bavaria in Germany, and is a citizen of Germany, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. Although his official name in Germany is Otto, Prinz zu Habsburg, he is referred to as Otto Habsburg-Lothringen by Austrian authorities, since the use of noble titles and prepositions is forbidden by the Austrian constitution. He is sometimes known as Archduke Otto of Austria, Crown Prince Otto of Austria, and in Hungary simply as Habsburg Ottó.
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Early life
Otto was born at Villa Wartholz in Reichenau an der Rax, Austria-Hungary. He was baptised Franz Joseph Otto Robert Maria Anton Karl Max Heinrich Sixtus Xavier Felix Renatus Ludwig Gaetan Pius Ignatius on 25 November 1912 at Villa Wartholz by the Prince-Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Franz Xavier Nagl. His godfather was the Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria (represented by Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria); his godmother was his grandmother Infanta Maria Antonia of Portugal.[1]
In November 1916, Otto became Crown Prince of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia when his father, Archduke Charles, ascended to the throne. However, in 1918, at the end of the First World War, the monarchies were abolished, the Republics of Austria and Hungary founded instead, and the family was forced into exile. Hungary did become a kingdom again, but Charles was never to reascend the throne. Instead, Miklós Horthy ruled as regent until 1944, in a kingdom without a king.
Years in exile
Otto's family spent the subsequent years in Switzerland, later on the Portuguese island of Madeira, where Karl died prematurely in 1922, leaving the 9-year-old Otto pretender to the throne, and in the Basque town of Lekeitio. Meanwhile, the Austrian parliament had officially expelled the Habsburg dynasty and confiscated all the official property (Habsburg Law of 3 April 1919).
In 1935, Otto graduated from the Catholic University of Leuven, having studied social and political sciences.
From his father's death throughout the remainder of his time in exile, Otto considered himself the rightful emperor of Austria and stated this on many occasions. In 1937 he wrote,[2]
“I know very well that the overwhelming majority of the Austrian population would like me to assume the heritage of the peace emperor, my beloved father, rather earlier than later. (...) The [Austrian] people has never cast a vote in favor of the republic. It has remained silent as long as it was exhausted from the long fight, and taken by surprise by the audacity of the revolutionaries of 1918 and 1919. It shook off its resignation when it realized that the revolution had raped its right to life and freedom. (...) Such trust places a heavy burden on me. I accept it readily. God willing, the hour of reunion between the Duke and the people will arrive soon.”
Opposing the Nazi government
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HI&RH The Crown Prince
Extended family
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Extended family
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A fervent Austrian patriot, Otto opposed the Nazi Anschluss in Austria in 1938 (the Nazis codenamed their plan for a military invasion of Austria "Otto" because they planned to invade immediately if he was restored to the throne) and, sentenced to death by Hitler, chose to leave Europe altogether. Otto spent most of the war years in Washington, D.C. (1940 – 1944), after escaping from Belgium to Paris with his mother, former Empress Zita, and other family members. His cousins Max, Duke of Hohenberg, and Prince Ernst of Hohenberg were arrested in Vienna by the Gestapo and sent to a concentration camp until the end of the war. When Paris was in danger, the family left the French capital and moved to Portugal with a visa issued by Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese consul in Bordeaux. After the war, Otto lived for some years in both France and Spain.
Political career
In a declaration dated 31 May 1961, Otto renounced all claims to the Austrian throne and proclaimed himself "a loyal citizen of the republic," a move that he made only after much hesitation and certainly "for purely practical reasons".[3] In a 2007 interview on occasion of his approaching 95th birthday, Otto stated:
"This was such an infamy, I'd rather never have signed it. They demanded that I abstain from politics. I would not have dreamed of complying [with that demand]. Once you have tasted the opium of politics, you never get rid of it."[4]
When the Austrian administrative court found on 24 May 1963 that the declaration was sufficient to lift the legal ban that prevented Otto from entering the country, political infighting and civil unrest resulted that almost precipitated a crisis of state, and later became known as the "Habsburg Crisis." (Austria had been officially neutral since 1955, staunchly republican and ill-disposed to welcome back the heir to the deposed dynasty.) It was only on 1 June 1966 - after a change of government - that Otto was issued an Austrian passport, and was finally able to visit his home country again on 31 October 1966.[5]
An early advocate of a unified Europe, Otto was president of the International Paneuropean Union from 1973 to 2004.[6] He served from 1979 till 1999 as a Member of the European Parliament for the conservative Bavarian CSU party, becoming the Senior Member of the supranational body. He is also a member of the Mont Pelerin Society. He was a major supporter of the expansion of the European Union from the beginning and especially of the acceptance of Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia. During his time in parliament, Otto is alleged to have struck fellow MEP Ian Paisley. (Pope John Paul II had given a speech to the European Parliament in 1988, and Paisley shouted at the Pope, "I renounce you as the Antichrist!", holding a poster reading "Pope John Paul II Antichrist", whereupon he was excluded from the session and expelled from the room by other MEPs.[7][8])
Otto was one of the men instrumental in organizing the so called Pan-European Picnic, at the Hungary-Austria border in August 19, 1989. This event is considered a symbolic landmark in the collapse of communist dictatorships in Europe.
Otto is a patron of the Three Faiths Forum, a group which aims to encourage friendship, goodwill and understanding amongst people of the three monotheistic faiths of Christianity, Judaism and Islam in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.[9]
In December 2006, Otto observed that, "The catastrophe of 11 September 2001 struck the United States more profoundly than any of us, whence a certain mutual incomprehension. Until then, the United States felt itself secure, persuaded of its power to bombard any enemy, without anyone being able to strike back. That sentiment vanished in an instant... Americans understand 'viscerally' for the first time the risks they face."[10]
In January 2007, he relinquished his status as the Head of his House to his eldest son.[11] On 5 July 2007, Otto received the Freedom of the City of London from the hands of Sir Gavyn Arthur, former Lord Mayor of London.[12]
Family life
Photo: 31 December 1916
Otto was married to Princess Regina of Saxe-Meiningen from 1951 until her death in 2010. They had seven children, 23 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild:
- Archduchess Andrea of Austria (born 1953). Married Hereditary Count Karl Eugen von Neipperg. They have three sons, two daughters and one granddaughter.
- Count Maria Philipp Karl Friedrich Hubert Magnus von Neipperg (b. 6 September 1978), married to Miss Paula Wolff (b. 1981), daughter of Lukas Wolff and his wife, née Countess Ladislaja Eleonore von Meran, on 26 April 2008 in Salzburg.
- Johanna von Neipperg (born 2009)
- Count Maria Benedikt Reinhard Michael Alois Leo of Neipperg (b. 11 April 1980)
- Count Maria Dominik Georg Christoph Johannes Pantaleon of Neipperg (b. 27 July 1981)
- Countess Maria Hemma Nathalie Sophie Franziska Georgine of Neipperg (b. 11 October 1983)
- Countess Maria Katharina Franziska Monika Elisabeth of Neipperg (b. 3 April 1986)
- Count Maria Philipp Karl Friedrich Hubert Magnus von Neipperg (b. 6 September 1978), married to Miss Paula Wolff (b. 1981), daughter of Lukas Wolff and his wife, née Countess Ladislaja Eleonore von Meran, on 26 April 2008 in Salzburg.
- Archduchess Monika of Austria (born 1954). Married Luis María Gonzaga Gonzaga de Casanova-Cárdenas y Barón, Duke of Santangelo, Marquess of Elche, Count of Lodosa and Grandee of Spain, who is a descendant of Infanta Luisa Teresa of Spain, Duchess of Sessa and sister of Francis, King-Consort of Spain. They have four sons.
- Archduchess Michaela of Austria (born 1954). Monika's twin sister. Married firstly Eric Alba Teran d'Antin, and secondly Count Hubertus of Kageneck. She has two sons and a daughter from her first marriage. Twice divorced.
- Archduchess Gabriela of Austria (born 1956). Married Christian Meister in 1978, divorced in 1997. She has a son and two daughters.
- Archduchess Walburga of Austria (born 1958). Married Count Archibald Douglas, from the Swedish nobility. They have a son. Member of the Parliament of Sweden since 2006 for the Moderate Party.
- Archduke Karl of Austria (born 11 January 1961), married Baroness Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza (daughter of Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza) in 1993. They have two daughters and a son. They separated amicably in 2003.
- Eleonore (born 1994)
- Ferdinand Zvonimir (born 1997)
- Gloria (born 1999)
- Archduke Georg of Austria (1964). Married Duchess Eilika of Oldenburg. They have two daughters and a son.
- Zsófia (born 2001)
- Ildikó (born 2002)
- Károly-Konstantin (born 2004)
Otto lives in retirement at the Villa Austria in Pöcking bei Starnberg, Starnberg, near the lake Starnberger See, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany.
Ancestry
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Patrilineal descent
Otto is a member of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, descended from the Dukes of Lorraine, of Frankish origin.
Otto's patriline is the line from which he is descended father to son. It follows the Emperors of Austria, the Dukes of Lorraine and before them, the Counts of Norgau. The line can be traced back more than 1,400 years and is one of the oldest in Europe.
- Aymes (490)
- Wago, Count of Montreuil 512-XXX
- Leuthaire, Duke of Allemania (d533/4)
- Erchenaud (Erkembald)
- Leuthaire [II] (Laetharus)
- Erchinold, Major Domo of France (d657/661)
- Leuthaire [III], aka Leudisius of Peronne, Major Domo of France (d673)
- Adalric or Etichon, c. 630 - bef. 690, Duke of Alsace from 670; brother of Gandalen, Abbot of Béze who died aft. 677
- Adalric or Haicon, c. 670 - aft. 726, Count of Norgau
- Albéric, c. 710 - c. 760, Count of Norgau c. 730 - 735
- Eberard I, c. 745 - c. 795, Count of Norgau 765 - 777
- Eberard II, c. 790 - c. 864, Count of Norgau in 864
- Eberard III, 830 - c. 900, Count of Norgau in 885
- Hugues I, bef. 875 - c. 940, Count of Norgau
- Eberard IV, 905 - 18 December 967, Count of Norgau until 951
- Adalbert, c. 955 - aft. 1033, Count of Metz in c. 890, Founder of the Monastery of Bougainville
- Gerard de Bouzonville, Count of Metz, c. 985 - 1045
- Gerard, Duke of Lorraine, c. 1028 - 1070; his older brother Adalbert, c. 1016 - 1048, Count of Longwy, Duke of Haute Lorraine from 1047 to 1048, was the patrilineal ancestor of the Counts of Burgundy and the Kings of Castile from the 12th century to the 15th century
- Theodoric II, Duke of Lorraine, c. 1055 - 1115
- Simon I, Duke of Lorraine, c. 1080 - 1138; his younger brother Thierry of Alsace, d. c. 1168, Count of Flanders, was the patrilineal ancestor of the House of Flanders
- Matthias I, Duke of Lorraine, c. 1110 - 1176
- Frederick I, Duke of Lorraine, c. 1140 - 1207
- Frederick II, Duke of Lorraine, c. 1165 - 1213
- Matthias II, Duke of Lorraine, c. 1192 - 1251
- Frederick III, Duke of Lorraine, c. 1230 - 1303
- Theobald II, Duke of Lorraine, c. 1260 - 1312
- Frederick IV, Duke of Lorraine, 1282–1328
- Rudolph, Duke of Lorraine, c. 1310 - 1346
- John I, Duke of Lorraine, 1346–1390
- Frederick of Lorraine, 1371–1415
- Antoine of Vaudémont, c. 1395 - 1431
- Frederick II of Vaudémont, 1417–1470
- René II, Duke of Lorraine, 1451–1508
- Antoine, Duke of Lorraine, 1489–1544
- Francis I, Duke of Lorraine, 1517–1545
- Charles III, Duke of Lorraine, 1543–1608
- Francis II, Duke of Lorraine, 1572–1632
- Nicholas II, Duke of Lorraine, Cardinal, 1609–1679
- Charles V, Duke of Lorraine, 1643–1690
- Leopold, Duke of Lorraine, 1679–1729
- Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, 1708–1765
- Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor, 1747–1792
- Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, 1768–1835
- Archduke Franz Karl of Austria, 1802–1878
- Archduke Charles Louis of Austria, 1833–1896
- Archduke Otto Francis of Austria, 1865–1906
- Blessed Charles I of Austria, 1887–1922
- Otto von Habsburg, 1912 -
The descent before Gerard de Bouzonville is taken from a work published by Portuguese genealogist Luís Paulo Manuel de Meneses de Melo Vaz de São Paio.
Footnotes
- ↑ Wiener Zeitung, 26 November 1912.
- ↑ Gedächtnisjahrbuch 1937, 9. Jg.: Dem Andenken an Karls von Österreich Kaiser und König. Arbeitsgemeinschaft österreichischer Vereine – Wien, W. Hamburger 1937)
- ↑ Brook-Shepherd, p 181
- ↑ Die Presse, Unabhängige Tageszeitung für Österreich. Nov.10/11, 2007. p3 (German online version dated Nov. 9, 2007: [1]. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
- ↑ Website of the Austrian parliament. Die Habsburg-Krise - mehr als parteipolitische Auseinandersetzungen. [2]. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
- ↑ Thomas Wilhelm Schwarzer. "Erzherzog Dr. Otto von Habsburg". Otto.twschwarzer.de. http://otto.twschwarzer.de/. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
- ↑ "HEADLINERS; Papal Audience". New York Times. 1988-10-16. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE7DC1630F935A25753C1A96E948260. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
- ↑ David W. Cloud, "Dr. Ian Paisley's Stand for the Old Bible".
- ↑ :: Three Faiths Forum ::
- ↑ Lalanne, Dorothée (2006-12-06). "Otto de Habsbourg: Européen Avant Tout". Point de Vue (3046): page 46.
- ↑ Paul Theroff. "Austria". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 2008-03-07. http://web.archive.org/web/20080307074703/http://pages.prodigy.net/ptheroff/gotha/austria.html. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
- ↑ "Last Crown Prince of Austria receives the Freedom of the City of London". Cityoflondon.gov.uk. 2007-07-11. http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/media_centre/files2007/131_07.htm. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
Bibliography
- Gordon Brook-Shepherd, Uncrowned Emperor - The Life and Times of Otto von Habsburg, Hambledon Continuum, London 2003. ISBN 1852855495.
External links
Media related to Otto von Habsburg-Lothringen at Wikimedia Commons- Erzherzog Dr. Otto von Habsburg (Autorisierte Ehrenseite)
- An essay on Republicanism vs Monarchism by Otto
- Video interview of Otto von Habsbourg (French) European Navigator
- The Black & Yellow Alliance
- Uncrowned emperor: the life and times of Otto von Habsburg By Gordon Brook-Shepherd
- Archduke Otto Von Habsburg and American Hungarian Emigres during and after World War II, by Steven Bela Vardy
- Archduchess Regina von Habsburg - Daily Telegraph obituary
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Crown Prince Otto of Austria
Born: 20 November 1912 |
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| Titles in pretence | ||
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| Preceded by Emperor Charles I |
— TITULAR — Emperor of Austria King of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia 1 April 1922 – January 2007 Reason for succession failure: Austro-Hungarian Empire abolished in 1918 |
Succeeded by Archduke Karl |
| Austro-Hungarian royalty | ||
| Preceded by Emperor Charles I |
Heir to the Austrian-Hungarian throne 21 November 1916 – 12 November 1918 |
Vacant
Monarchy abolished
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| Loss of title Republic declared
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— TITULAR — Heir to the Austrian-Hungarian throne 12 November 1918 – 1 April 1922 |
Succeeded by Robert |
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