Archduke Franz Ferdinand with his friend, Kaiser Wilhelm II Franz Ferdinand, who was totally besotted with Sophie, ignored his uncle’s wishes and was intent on pursuing the marriage. The Emperor had made it quite clear that his nephew was not to marry Sophie, a mere countess, as it was contrary to the rules of the Habsburg family, who were only permitted to marry a member of one of the European royal dynasties. However, it was Franz Ferdinand’s marriage to Sophie Chotek, which particularly infuriated his uncle. The two did not see eye to eye on politics either, and were frequently arguing over how they saw the future direction of the empire. Emperor Franz Joseph with his nephew, Franz Ferdinand The Emperor Franz Joseph had always considered his nephew to be somewhat of an embarrassment, thanks in part to his playboy lifestyle, and so he was not particularly pleased with the fact that Franz Ferdinand had now become his heir. Then, when his father also died, in 1896, of typhoid fever, Franz Ferdinand effectively became heir-presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. In 1889, Franz Ferdinand’s cousin, the Crown Prince Rudolf, committed suicide at his hunting lodge, in Mayerling, which meant that Franz Ferdinand’s father had become first in line to the throne. Meanwhile, in his private life, Franz Ferdinand had two obsessions-hunting and antiques and many of his hunting trophies and antiques can still be seen today, at Konopiště Chateau, in the Czech Republic. He was the eldest son of Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria, who was Emperor Franz Joseph’s younger brother.Īt the tender age of eleven, Franz Ferdinand became one of the wealthiest people in Austria, when he was left most of the huge estate of his first cousin twice removed, Francis V, Duke of Modena, on the proviso that he subsequently used the title Archduke of Austria-Este.Įducated by private tutors throughout his youth, Franz Ferdinand began his military career at the age of 12, and was promoted rapidly through the ranks, becoming a major general in the Austrian army, in 1894, aged only 31.
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Test Your Knowledge with our FREE WebQuestįranz Ferdinand was born in Graz, Austria, on the 18th December 1863.Why Was Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated?.Table Of Contents for this Archduke Franz Ferdinand Biography
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