Only three days after commemorating the assassination of Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo, there is reason to return to them once again – this time to commemorate their wedding anniversary on 1 July 1900.
The early days of their acquaintance remain shrouded in mystery, and it is not known exactly when their relationship began. In the mid-1890s, Franz Ferdinand began frequent visits to the residence of a distant cousin, where the young Sophie served as a lady-in-waiting. It was widely assumed that his interest was directed towards one of the family’s daughters. The shocking truth came to light in a rather dramatic fashion: when Franz Ferdinand’s lost locket was found, it was discovered not to contain the portrait of a noble archduchess – but that of the modest Countess Chotek.
At the heart of the scandal lay the stark difference in their social rank. According to Habsburg family law, a future empress had to come from a reigning or formerly reigning dynasty. Despite the Choteks’ long noble pedigree – and a Habsburg ancestor in the 12th century – they did not meet the requirement. Thus, only a morganatic marriage could be considered. Even this was granted only after years of Emperor Franz Joseph’s firm resistance. When he finally gave his consent, it came with harsh conditions: Franz Ferdinand was required to renounce any dynastic rights and titles for Sophie and their future children. Their wedding was boycotted by nearly the entire imperial family – as was Sophie herself. Throughout their fourteen-year marriage, she was forced to remain far behind her husband during official occasions, ranked among the least significant attendees.
On a personal level, however, Franz Ferdinand proved to be a devoted husband and father of three, preferring the quietude of family life at their country estate. Despite the official humiliations, the marriage was truly happy and harmonious – until its tragic end in Sarajevo in 1914.
Access to the Metatext via placing an order for an augmented product. See Terms of Use
