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Franz KarlArchduke of Austria.
Date of Birth: 17.12.1802
Country:  Austria |
Content:
Biography of Franz Karl
Franz Karl, Archduke of Austria, was born in Vienna, the second son of Emperor Franz II and his wife Maria Theresa, Princess of the Two Sicilies. He belonged to the Habsburg dynasty and was the father of two emperors (of Austria and Mexico) and the grandfather of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination triggered the First World War.
Political Career
Franz Karl was not ambitious and generally inactive. However, due to his older brother Emperor Ferdinand I's inability to govern, he served on the council that ruled the state from 1835 to 1848. Despite his lack of interest in politics, he played a role in the government at the insistence of his wife.
After Ferdinand's abdication in December 1848, Franz Karl, at the urging of his wife, renounced his claims to the throne, allowing his eldest son Franz Joseph to become the Emperor of Austria.
Death
Archduke Franz Karl passed away in Vienna in 1878, six years after the death of his wife.
Children
From his marriage to Sophie of Bavaria, Franz Karl had five children:- Franz Joseph (August 18, 1830 – November 21, 1916), who later became Emperor of Austria.
- Maximilian (July 6, 1832 – June 19, 1867), who later became Emperor of Mexico.
- Karl Ludwig (July 30, 1833 – May 19, 1896), who was the father of Franz Ferdinand and the grandfather of Karl I, the last Emperor of Austria.
- Maria Anna (October 27, 1835 – February 5, 1840).
- Ludwig (May 15, 1842 – January 18, 1919).
