Countess Maria Draskovich of Trakostjan

Countess Maria Draskovich of Trakostjan (8 March 1904 – 10 June 1969) was the first wife of Albrecht, Duke of Bavaria, head of the House of Wittelsbach and pretender to the Kingdom of Bavaria from 1955 to 1996 as well as the Jacobite pretender to the thrones of England, Scotland, Ireland and France. By Wittelsbach loyalists, she was considered the rightful Queen Consort of Bavaria from 1955 until her death, and by Jacobites, she was also considered the rightful Queen Consort of England, Scotland, Ireland and France during the same period.

Early life

Maria Franziska Juliana Johanna (known as Marita) Draskovich von Trakostjan was born at Vienna, Austria-Hungary on 8 March 1904. She was the only daughter of Count Dionys Maria Draskovich von Trakostjan and Princess Juliana Rose von Montenuovo.^[1]

Her family, Draskovich of Trakostjan (Drašković Trakošćanski in Croatian), belonged to an ancient Croatian noble family of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Through her mother she was a descendant of Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria by her second marriage to Adam Albert, Count of Neipperg; Marie Louise was the Empress consort of Napoleon I of France from 1810 to 1814 and Duchess of Parma from 1814 to her death. Through her father, Maria was a descendant of infamous Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory.

Marriage and family

Countess Marie married on 3 September 1930 in Berchtesgaden, to Albrecht, Duke of Bavaria, son of Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria and his first wife, Duchess Marie Gabrielle in Bavaria and grandson of King Ludwig III of Bavaria.^[1]

They had four children:

• Princess Marie Gabrielle Antonia José (born 1931). Married Georg, Fürst von Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg (born 1928) and they have six children:
  • Countess Walburga von Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg (born 1958).
  • Countess Gabriele von Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg (born 1959).
  • Countess Monika von Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg (born 1961).
  • Erich, Hereditary Count von Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg (born 1962).
  • Countess Adelheid of Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg (born 1964).
  • Countess Elisabeth von Waldburg zu Zeil und Trauchburg (born 1966).
• Princess Marie Charlotte Juliana (born 1931, Gabrielle's twin). Married Paul, Fürst von Quadt zu Wykradt und Isny (1930-2011) and they have four children:
  • Alexander, Fürst von Quadt zu Wykradt und Isny (born 1958).
  • Countess Maria-Anna von Quadt zu Wykradt und Isny (born 1960).
  • Countess Georgina von Quadt zu Wykradt und Isny (born 1962).
  • Count Bertram von Quadt zu Wykradt und Isny (born 1966).
• Franz, Duke of Bavaria (born 14 July 1933).
• Max-Emanuel Ludwig Maria, Duke in Bavaria (born 1937), married the Swedish Countess Elizabeth Douglas-Stjernorp (born 1940) and they have five daughters, who bear the titles Princess of Bavaria, Duchess in Bavaria.
  • Duchess Sophie Elisabeth Marie Gabrielle in Bavaria (born 28 October 1967). Married Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein.
  • Duchess Marie Caroline Hedwig Eleonore in Bavaria (born 1969). Married Duke Philipp of Württemberg.
  • Duchess Helene Eugenie Maria Donatha Mechthild in Bavaria (born 1972).
  • Duchess Elizabeth Marie Charlotte Franziska in Bavaria (born 1973). Married Daniel Terberger.
  • Duchess Maria Anna Henriette Gabrielle Julia in Bavaria (born 1973). Married Klaus Runow.

She died in 1969 at the age of 65, her husband later married secondly in 1971 to Countess Marie-Jenke Keglevich of Buzin. They had no issue.

Titles and styles

• 8 March 1904 – 3 September 1930: Countess Maria Draskovich of Trakostjan
• 3 September 1930 – 2 August 1955: Her Royal Highness Princess Maria of Bavaria
• 2 August 1955 – 10 June 1969: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Bavaria
  • Title in pretence: 2 August 1955 – 10 June 1969: Her Majesty The Queen of Bavaria

Ancestry

Notes and sources

• thePeerage.com - Maria Franziska Gräfin Draskovich von Trakostjan
• Genealogics - Leo van de Pas - Gräfin Maria Draskovich de Trakostjan
• Addington, A. C. The Royal House of Stuart. London: Charles Skilton, 1969-76. Page 65.
• Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Fürstliche Häuser, Reference: 1971.