Monday, March 25, 2013

Former Austrian emperor arrives in Switzerland

March 25, 1919

Former Emperor Karl of Austria and his family have arrived in Switzerland, according to a New York Times dispatch.  They will be staying at the Chateau de Wartegg at Staad, near Rorschach, on Lake Constance.

The chateau is owned by former Empress Zita's brother, the Duke of Parma.

The party traveled by special train and reached Switzerland's border this afternoon, where they were met by a Swiss delegation.

Vienna newspapers are reporting that Karl left Austria without renouncing the throne for himself and his descendants, which "had been demanded."  One newspaper, the Reichspost says that former unnamed Archdukes, who reside in German Austria, have "renounced the throne and all privileges, asking the rights of only ordinary citizens."

The departure arrangements were kept secret.  The news was made public in Vienna this morning "from a short Government statement," which noted that Karl and his family had left the country.

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