Karl in seclusion

January 26, 1919

Austrian Emperor Karl is "living in absolute seclusion" with his wife, Zita, and their children. He is not in contact with any other members of the Imperial Family or with Austrian political officials, and he receives no visitors, apart from business calls. His only "pastime" is his family and reading the newspapers.
Karl, who lost his throne after the end of the world war, is described as being in poor health and is depressed. Empress Zita is "resigned and holding up her head in adversity." She has no communication with her mother, the Duchess of Parma, and her mother-in-law, Archduchess Maria Josef, recently had her palace seized by the new republican government. She is "compelled" to accept her son's hospitality, as she has no other "means of support."