Another archduke opts out

December 14, 1909

It was officially announced today in Vienna that Archduke Heinrich Friedrich of Austria, brother of Crown Princess Louisa of Saxony and Archduke Leopold Salvator, is "on leave with the stoppage of all emoluments."

The Los Angeles Times reports that the announcement was made by Emperor Franz Joseph in response to Heinrich's long desire to "abandon his rank and title" in order to marry a young Munich girl who is not noble. 
Heinrich is an artist with a "distaste for court like and military duties."  He has lived for some years now in Munich.

There is a precedent for this announcement.  Archduke Ferdinand Karl "ran away"earlier this year from his military duties in order to marry the daughter of a court official. He has since assumed the surname Burg and lives as a private citizen.

Archduke Leopold was a major general in the Austrian army when he renounced his titles in 1902 before marrying an Bavarian actress.  This marriage ended in divorce.  Leopold, who is now known as Leopold Wolfing, now lives in Switzerland.

Archduke Johann Salvator took the name Johann Orth when he married an actress named Milly Stiebel.  He set sail for Chile in July 1890, and then disappeared without a trace.