Thursday, February 24, 2011

Archduke Albrecht's body arrives at the Hofburg

February 24, 1895

The body of Field Marshal Archduke Albrecht of Austria, Duke of Teschen, arrived in Vienna from Arco this evening, reports the New York Times.  The archduke's coffin was "taken from the train to the funeral car," with a military escort.  The car, drawn by six horses, was escorted by "a squadron of cavalry and the Emperor's bodyguard," and taken to the Hofburg.

The streets were lined with crowds, as the Viennese paid their respects to the late Duke of Teschen who died at Arco on February 18. 

Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany will be coming to Vienna for the funeral.  He is expected to arrive before noon, and leave for Berlin later in the evening.  The Duke of Aosta "started for Vienna this evening," and will be representing King Umberto of Italy.

The Archduke was born on August 3, 1817, at Vienna, the eldest son of Archduke Johann and Princess Henriette of Nassau-Weilburg.  On May 1, 1844, in Munich, he married Princess Hildegard of Bavaria.  They had three children,  Archduchess Maria Theresia, who was born in 1845, Archduke Karl Albrecht (who died at age 18 months in 1848); and Archduchess Mathilde, who died at age 18 in 1867).   Archduchess Maria Theresia is married to Philipp, Duke of Württemberg.

Archduchess Hildegard died in 1864.

The Teschen dukedom passes to the late Archduke's nephew, Archduke Friedrich, who is married to Princess Isabella of Croy.

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