I believe you are right about the Order of the Starry Cross (Sternkreuzorden). Princess Michael wore the same order at Otto von Habsburg's funeral.Well to me it appears to be the Order of the Starry Cross (Sternkreuzorden) which is not simply a Habsburg women order but the highest order for females within the whole Habsburg empire. Maybe Marie Astrid is not a member of the order, just as Francesca the wife of Karl is not a member because she doesn't have the 16 noble great grandparents. And that despite being the wife of the head of the whole family.
I think she has been appointed by Archduchess Regina, and not by Empress Zita; Zita ceased to be the Grand Mistress of the order in 1951, when Archduke Otto married Regina.Princess Michael is definitely a member I think she was appointed by Empress Zita.
Currently two Belgian nobles are Knights of the Goldern Fleece: the Prince of Ligne and Prince Charles Louis de Merode, both appointed in 2011. Also the Viscount de Chabot-Tramecourt, who passed away a few weeks ago, was a member of the Order; his mother was born a Princess de Ligne.Years before they were only 3 belgian Noble Families who could wear the Order of the Golden Fleece.
The Prince de Ligne (who died)
The Count de Limbourg Stirum (who died)
the Marquis d’ Andigny.
Nowadays I don’t know if their heirs are Member of the Golden Fleece ? Is there an updated List ? Thanks
Otto's daughter Gabriela is currently the Grand Mistress of the order. Francesca as the wife of the head of the house is not allowed to wear it because she doesn't have the required 16 noble great-grandparents. Before Gabriela her mother Regina was Grand Mistress and before her mother-in-law Empress Zita. The number of the members is limited and apart from a flawless family tree you can only become a member if you are appointed by the Grand Mistress. Princess Michael is definitely a member I think she was appointed by Empress Zita. There are several other noble ladies who are a member I saw them all at the funeral for Otto although I can not name them.
The requirements which have to be fulfilled are pretty strict: you have to be catholic and at least 16 noble great grand parents are required. IF you are married your husband also needs to have a flawless family tree. The members of the Starry Cross were once allowed to enter the apartments of the Empress without further consent therefore only ladies of the highest Austrian noble families were members.
Kit , yes It is the Order of the Starry Cross, I think only the wife of the eldest Habsbourg may wear it.
Are they pictures of daughters or daughters in law of Impress Zita wearing this decoration.
I remember the eldest daughter of Archduke Otto wore it on her wedding day . Others ??
Francesca is alo not the grand mastress because her parents where not married in a relgious Ceremony as her father was divorced.
I only woner why from Otto's daughter Gabriela who is also divorced bacame grand mastress and not for example her older sister Andrea who even is made an equal marriage.
I can understand abolishing titles for being irrelevant but what does "linguistically neutral" even mean?
I agree with you that the titles have rich history. I was just trying to find a logic behind the abolishment - and the one reason why, in my opinion, nobility titles can be abolished in our times is the fact they have little relevance nowadays.The maybe irrelevant in the modern day but given the history attached to some of those titles ,especially the Counts of Flanders and Hainault I too don't understand the "linguistically neutral" reason.
I agree with you that the titles have rich history. I was just trying to find a logic behind the abolishment - and the one reason why, in my opinion, nobility titles can be abolished in our times is the fact they have little relevance nowadays.