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| Happier times. Karl certainly inherited his great uncle's ears! Marlene A. Eilers Koenig Collection |
February 21, 1912
Although nothing has been allowed to be published in Austrian newspapers, "all the absorbing topic of conversation" in Vienna is the separation of Archduke Karl, second in line to the throne, and his young wife, "whom he only married at the end of last October.
The Marquise Fontenoy reports that at the end of last year, which "under ordinary circumstances, the honeymoon would commence to wane," the marriage of Archduke Karl and Archduchess Zita "suffered a complete eclipse," with the young archduchess leaving her husband and returning alone to her mother at Schwarzau, in Lower Austria.
Archduchess Zita has remained at her childhood home, "without taking part in the gayeties of the winter season at Vienna and without putting in an appearance in the Austrian capital."
Archduke Karl has apparently not traveled to Schwarzau. Several days ago, it was officially announced that Karl will undertake a world tour, visiting India, China, Japan, Australia, and North and South America, before returning to Austria "a full year hence." Archduchess Zita will not be accompanying her husband. This "goes to show" that the marriage between the future Emperor and the former Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma "has not turned out as happily as was expected." If the marriage is to be "saved from an ultimate shipwreck a long prolonged separation is indispensable."
The separation is "the source of general regret" in Vienna as the wedding was "so gay and full of promise." Everyone believed that this was a love match. And now Emperor Franz Josef has suffered another tragedy in his life of sorrow.
Franz Josef had always hoped that his granddaughter, Archduchess Elisabeth, the eldest daughter of his youngest daughter, Archduchess Valerie, would wed Archduke Karl. But when Franz Josef realized that his grandnephew "had given his heart elsewhere" to Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma, he "concealed his disappointment and showed himself wonderfully kind and generous to the young couple."
It now seems possible that Karl's marriage will be without issue, which means that Karl's younger brother, 17-year-old Archduke Max, will remain third in line to the throne, and ultimately, heir presumptive.
Although nothing has been allowed to be published in Austrian newspapers, "all the absorbing topic of conversation" in Vienna is the separation of Archduke Karl, second in line to the throne, and his young wife, "whom he only married at the end of last October.
The Marquise Fontenoy reports that at the end of last year, which "under ordinary circumstances, the honeymoon would commence to wane," the marriage of Archduke Karl and Archduchess Zita "suffered a complete eclipse," with the young archduchess leaving her husband and returning alone to her mother at Schwarzau, in Lower Austria.
Archduchess Zita has remained at her childhood home, "without taking part in the gayeties of the winter season at Vienna and without putting in an appearance in the Austrian capital."
Archduke Karl has apparently not traveled to Schwarzau. Several days ago, it was officially announced that Karl will undertake a world tour, visiting India, China, Japan, Australia, and North and South America, before returning to Austria "a full year hence." Archduchess Zita will not be accompanying her husband. This "goes to show" that the marriage between the future Emperor and the former Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma "has not turned out as happily as was expected." If the marriage is to be "saved from an ultimate shipwreck a long prolonged separation is indispensable."
The separation is "the source of general regret" in Vienna as the wedding was "so gay and full of promise." Everyone believed that this was a love match. And now Emperor Franz Josef has suffered another tragedy in his life of sorrow.
Franz Josef had always hoped that his granddaughter, Archduchess Elisabeth, the eldest daughter of his youngest daughter, Archduchess Valerie, would wed Archduke Karl. But when Franz Josef realized that his grandnephew "had given his heart elsewhere" to Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma, he "concealed his disappointment and showed himself wonderfully kind and generous to the young couple."
It now seems possible that Karl's marriage will be without issue, which means that Karl's younger brother, 17-year-old Archduke Max, will remain third in line to the throne, and ultimately, heir presumptive.
What a shame that those who have so many advantages in life can have such unhappy and disruptive upsets.
ReplyDeleteyou do realize that this was in 1912, and the Marquise de Fontenoy wsa largely a gossip!
ReplyDeleteActually, I was referring to the recent separation.....although this applies equally to those who have gone on.
ReplyDeletewhat recent separation? As for this story, it really is a bit far fetched.
ReplyDelete