Thursday, October 29, 2009

Duke Albrecht of Württemberg dead


October 29, 1939

Duke Albrecht of Württemberg, the pretender to the throne of Württemberg, died today, according to the Associated Press. He was 73 years old. The German Field Marshall commanded Germany's Fourth Army during the world war, "which fought its way across southern Belgium to the Marne. He became the chief commander of the armies on the front of Alsace-Lorraine.

Duke Albrecht, who was born on December 23, 1865, in Vienna, was the son of Duke Philipp of Württemberg and Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria. The duke "continued the family's Austrian connections" by marrying Archduchess Margarete Sophie, who died in 1902, leaving five children. The Archduchess was a sister of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination at Sarajevo in June 1914 led to the World War.

Duke Albrecht died at his home, Schloss Altshausen. He was succeeded as head of the family by his eldest son, Philipp, who is married to Archduchess Rosa of Austria.

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