Maximilian, Duke of Hohenberg

Maximilian
Prince Maximilian ca. 1914.
Duke of Hohenberg
Successor Franz
Spouse(s) Countess Maria Elisabeth Bona von Waldburg zu Wolfegg und Waldsee
Issue
Prince Franz
Prince Georg
Prince Albrecht
Prince Johannes
Prince Peter
Prince Gerhard
Father Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Mother Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg
Born 29 September 1902(1902-09-29)
Died 8 January 1962(1962-01-08) (aged 59)

Maximilian, Duke of Hohenberg (29 September 1902 – 8 January 1962) was the eldest son of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary, and his morganatic wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg. By definition of a morganatic marriage, he was excluded as Heir Presumptive to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

He was born with the lesser rank and style His Serene Highness Prince Maximilian of Hohenberg, but in 1917 was elevated to His Highness Maximilian, Duke of Hohenberg.

Following the assassination of his parents in Sarajevo in 1914, which resulted in the outbreak of World War I, Prince Maximilian, his sister, Princess Sophie and their brother, Prince Ernst, were taken in by their father's brother-in-law and shooting partner Prince Jaroslav von Thun und Hohenstein.

In 1918 following the collapse of the Empire and the Monarchy, they were exiled from Czechoslovakia, losing their family home, Konopiště Castle and all their possessions. They took refuge in Vienna and Artstetten Castle. But in 1938, following the Anschluss they were arrested and deported by the Nazi Regime to Dachau concentration camp, where they spent most of the Nazi era. The reason for their imprisonment was that Duke Maximilian was one of the principal public opponents to the Anschluss. Following the collapse of the Third Reich and their release, Artstetten Castle was returned to the family.

Duke Maximilian married Countess Maria Elisabeth Bona von Waldburg zu Wolfegg und Waldsee on 16 November 1926. He had six children by her, all sons with the rank of Serene Highness:

Styles

Ancestry

Notes

  1. ^ Smith, Craig S. "A battle royal for a Czech castle - Princess wants property taken after empire collapsed." International Herald Tribune. p 3. 20 February 2007.
  2. ^ "Princess and Heir of Franz Ferdinand Fights to Repeal a Law and Gain a Castle." New York Times. 19 February 2007
  3. ^ [1]
Regnal titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Sophie		 Duke of Hohenberg
1917 - 1918		 Abolition of monarchy
Titles in pretence
Abolition of monarchy — TITULAR —
Duke of Hohenberg
1918 - 1962		 Succeeded by
Franz