Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Archduke Rainer Karl buried in Vienna

June 2, 1930

For the first time since the death of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph twelve years ago, a member of the Habsburg family was laid to rest in vault of the Capucin monks. Archduke Rainer Karl was interred in the vault after former Empress Zita, the widow of Emperor Karl, gave her permission, "despite the fact that he had renounced his title in the formation of the Austrian Republic."
According to the New York Times, "thousands of spectators lined the Ringstrasse" as the hearse bearing the 35-year-old archduke passed to the "gloomy crypt in the Neumarkt. The mourners included the late archduke's parents, Archduke Leopold Salvator and Archduchess Blanca, members of the Austrian aristocracy, representatives of the cavalry and artillery "of the old monarchy," and French and Spanish government officials.
When of the coffin was carried through the church to the door of the vault, "an official fulfilling the function of the vanished court knocked on the door.
"Who is there?" a voice asked.
"The body of the Archduke Rainer Karl," was the response.
"I do not know him; who is he?" came the further query from within."
"A poor sinner," was the reply."
The door then opened, and the coffin was carried into the vault.

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