Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria (1858-1889) (and Mayerling)

[Kit]

Archduchess Elisabeth Marie of Austria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

this is a short summary in English about her.

[Whiskers]

Kit, Let me ask you, Crown Prince Rudolf had many rumored liaisons with many lady's, before he was married to Princess Stephanie of Belgium even after.

But before he was married to Princess Stephanie of Belgium,
It was rumored that Rudolf had married Ferdinand IV's, the Grand Duke of Tuscany's oldest daughter by his first marriage Archduchess Maria Antonietta.

But Franz Joseph objected and had the marriage annulled, and Maria Antonietta was sent to a convent.

Do you believe this?

[NotAPretender]

Originally Posted by Whiskers

Kit, Let me ask you, Crown Prince Rudolf had many rumored liaisons with many lady's, before he was married to Princess Stephanie of Belgium even after.

But before he was married to Princess Stephanie of Belgium,
It was rumored that Rudolf had married Ferdinand IV's, the Grand Duke of Tuscany's oldest daughter by his first marriage Archduchess Maria Antonietta.

But Franz Joseph objected and had the marriage annulled, and Maria Antonietta was sent to a convent.

Do you believe this?

I'd never heard this story - quite fascinating!

Rudolf's daughter, IIRC, became known as the "Red Archduchess" due to her devotion to radical causes. She was never in line to inherit. I read a biography of her and evidently she was quite the free spirit. She expertly rode a motorcycle that she nicknamed the "Silver Spirit."

Someone like her embodied why Austria would best be not a monarchy again. The randomness of birth doesn't confer an ability to rule. She might have been the perfect monarch for the country but was barred because of her sex.

[Johann Salvator]

Constitutional monarchs do not rule, they are Heads of State. For European and other nations with a history of monarchy there is no one better than the rightful monarch to represent the people.

[Kit]

...before he was married to Princess Stephanie of Belgium, it was rumored that Rudolf had married Ferdinand IV's, the Grand Duke of Tuscany's oldest daughter by his first marriage Archduchess Maria Antonietta.

No. First of all Rudolph didn't want to marry at all, not even Stephanie of Belgium but he had to marry because of this father's orders. And he wouldn't have been able to marry without his father's consent! No priest would have done this. Second if it would be true then FJ wouldn't have objected because the bride was also an Austrian AD and therefore absolutely fit to be one day Empress of Austria. And I highly doubt the pope would have annulled this marriage, he didn't even divorce Rudolph and Stephanie.
Third there is a very good biography about CP Rudolph by Brigitte Hamann. You should absolutely read it, it is one of the best biographies ever! Miss Hamann has investigated so many sources about CP Rudolph and till now I have never even heard about this possible marriage. She doesn't even mention this rumour

[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by Kit

Third there is a very good biography about CP Rudolph by Brigitte Hamann. You should absolutely read it, it is one of the best biographies ever! Miss Hamann has investigated so many sources about CP Rudolph and till now I have never even heard about this possible marriage. She doesn't even mention this rumour

The rumour exists in fact and in certain genealogical sites it is even mentioned as a fact.
Like this one:
mandragore - GeneaNet

Dont's think there is truth in it, though.

[Kit]

Thanks Kataryn, I never heard about it before. But as I already said above I don't believe it. I could never have married without the consent of his father. It just wouldn't have been possible.

[Grandduchess24]

Princess Stephanie of Belgium, crown princess of Austria could have become empress of Austria but rudolf commited suicide with his mistress at mayerling. She then got married to a Hungarian count and proceeded despite the objections from her father. She did have a daughter with Rudolph but does anyone know if there are any biographies about her I mean I know that she wrote a memoir but it's in German. I wish to learn more about this princess who was to be empress of Austria.

[bilzei]

I have many letters written to my great grandfather from Crown Prince Rudolf, they were very good friends. Do you know of anyone who would be interested? Thankyou...