Archduke Charles Joseph, the second son of Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen, was born on 1 February 1745.
Owing to his short life, Charles Joseph’s biography is necessarily sparse, and only a few basic details recur consistently in historical accounts. Foremost among these is the unanimous praise for his bright, friendly nature and charming manner, which made him everyone’s favourite. His rivalry with his elder brother Joseph, whose character was often described as quite the opposite, is another trait frequently emphasised, as are his intended role as ruler of Tuscany and his planned marriage to a Spanish infanta, arranged by Maria Theresa.
Unfortunately, the young Archduke’s unexpected death shortly before his seventeenth birthday brought all these promising prospects to an abrupt end, leaving his parents heartbroken and his siblings in mourning.
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