A lost world war, a crumbling empire, social cataclysm, a state of civil war. The confiscation of the wealth of a dynasty that, for half a millennium, had ruled over provinces, continents and dozens of nations, leaving the family at the mercy of the victorious powers. The last Austrian Emperor and Hungarian King faced this after two years of rule in 1918-1919.

The book deals only tangentially with major political issues but provides instead an insight into the daily life of a royal family in exile. Where the trifles of relocation override the bitterness of lost power and influence, and where the health of the seven children—and the eighth yet unborn—representing the future is paramount. Where much-vaunted words like honour and service take on new meanings.

Charles passed away on Madeira on 1 April 1922, knowing that at least those closest to him did not regard his short life as a failure. He had settled accounts with himself and his Creator and, by holding himself up as an example to his heir, first-born Otto, of how a Christian monarch bears his misfortune and how he leaves life on earth with humility and reconciliation.
With faith and a clear conscience.

And that was probably the most important thing he could leave him.

ISBN: 9786158181730

Author: Gergely Fejérdy, Gergely István Szűts, Ferenc Vasbányai (ed.)

Year of publication: 2022

Publisher: Otto von Habsburg Foundation

Place of publication: Budapest

Language: Hungarian

Number of pages: 288