zita charles wedding
Austria

Royal Wedding Recollections – Archduke Charles of Austria & Zita of Bourbon-Parma

On 21 October 1911, Zita of Bourbon-Parma married the future Emperor Charles I of Austria. They had known each other since childhood, and Zita’s aunt, Maria Theresa of Austria, was also Charles’s step-grandmother. Their engagement had been announced on 13 June 1911 and was very much welcomed. After the betrothal ceremony, Charles told Zita, “Now [read more]

elisabeth christine
Austria

Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel – The longest-serving Holy Roman Empress (Part one)

Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel is perhaps best known as the mother of the famous Habsburg ruler Maria Theresa but she was also the longest-serving Holy Roman Empress consort. Elisabeth Christine was born on 28 August 1691 as the eldest daughter of Louis Rudolph, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and his wife Princess Christine Louise of Oettingen-Oettingen. She [read more]