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Feb 21, 2012

Emperor Karl of Austria-Hungary


Charles I of Austria or Charles IV of Hungary was born on 17 August 1887. He was the last ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was the last Emperor of Austria, the last King of Hungary, the last King of Bohemia and Croatia and the last King of Galicia and Lodomeria, and the last monarch of the House of Hapsburg-Lorraine.
He spent the remaining years of his life attempting to restore the monarchy.
Both Charles and his wife Zita arrived in their final exile to Madeira on 19 November 1921. Determined to prevent a third restoration attempt, the Council of Allied Powers had agreed on Madeira because it was isolated in the Atlantic and easily guarded. Originally, the couple and their children lived in Funchal at Villa Vittoria, next to Reid's Hotel, and later moved to Quinta do Monte.
On 9 March 1922 he caught a cold walking into town and developed bronchitis which subsequently progressed to severe pneumonia. Having suffered two heart attacks he died of respiratory failure on 1 April in the presence of his wife who was pregnant with their eighth child. His remains except for his heart are still kept on the island, in the Church of Our Lady of Monte. His heart and that of Empress Zita repose in the Loreto Chapel of Muri Abbey. Following his beatification by the Catholic Church, he has become commonly known as Blessed Charles of Austria.



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