The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-29
ARCHDUKE'S CONSORT
WAS LADY IN WAITING
Emperor Long Withheld Con-
sent to Francis Ferdinand's
Morganatic Marriage.
COULD NEVER BE EMPRESS
Gradually, However. Promo
tions Came and Austrians
Hoped for Her Elevation.

The marriage OF the Arclrluke Francis
Ferdinand at the age OF 20 was one of
the succession OF sensational dynastic
events which have troubled the reign OF
the venerable Francis Joseph. Numerous
Roman Catholic Processes were indi-
Gated TO him as suitable consorts, but In
vain. Francis Ferdinand put an end to
speculation II not to intrigue by falling
In love with a Czech Countess, Sophie
Chotek. the lady In waiting to the Arch
duchess Isabella.
Count Chotek Won Cholkowa und
Wognin. who came OF an old and noble
bohemian family, had held a high place
In the diplomatic world. His wife was the
Countess Kinsky. Very attractive and
intelligent, she had assisted her husband
greatly In his political advancement. But
the Countess died when still compare
lively young and the Count after n long
siege Of Illness followed her to the grave.
They left several children. six OF them
girls. In charge OF their aunt, also Count
ess Kinsky. One OF the daughters mar
ried the Count Nostitz. another the Count
Won gvorderglauchau. The
youngest daughter OF the family, the
Countess Sophie. became lady in waiting
wealthiest archduke In Austria.
No wealth Nor Royal Title.
II was this Countess who was to be-
come the wife of Archdukc Francis Fer
dinand.
The Countess. n woman Of unusual edu-
cation and marked intelligence. was n
member of one of the oldest Czech fam
lilies. She was OF little wealth, however,
a,l 81 fa.l L., Of,
duchess Isabella, wife OF the Archduke
Frederick.
The Archduchess Isabella in casting
about for suitable husbands for her six
| daughters ms they became Of marriage
able age turned her attention first OF all
to the Archduke Francis Ferdinand
whose inheritance Of the vast Este estates
when he was a small boy had made hin,
one of the wealthlest OF the worlds
princes.
The Countess Chotek. lady in waiting
acted as duenna for the young daughters
Of the Archduchcss on these occasions
The Archdukc fell in with the interchange
Of courtesics readily. and II was not until
| by mischanco he left behind him at the
| Archduchess's castle gold framed NINA
! ture of the lady in waiting that his hostess
! learned that IL was not one OF her daugh.
| ters who had attracted the interest OF
| the Archduke.
Within half an hour the Countess
| Chotek was banished from her employer
house. The news travelled to the En-
peror and lie called In his royal nephew
| The latter braved his uncle's wrath anc
| continued the courtship for nine years, II
. which every pressure was brought to beai
upon him to give up his love for the Coun
| tess. lie expressed willingness at on'
| time to give up his rights to the throne
| in order that he might be allowed TO wee
the woman OF his choice.
Finally. on June IS. 1900. the Archduke
| In the presence OF the Emperor arch
| dukes. Church dignitaries and ministers o.
| state. took "A solemn oath in the Hoiburt
| al Vienna that he and the Countess would
| consider their projected marriage as NOR
| gauatic and renowned for the Countess al
| future claims as empress ana Tor theI
| unborn children all claims to the throne
Three DAYS later. on July l. the Arch
duke and the Countess Chotek were mar
| ried at Reichstadt. in the Countesss natlN
| Bohemia The Emperor then made IN
| Countess Duchess OF Hohenberg,
The Countess was four years her nus
bands junior. She was born al Stuttgar
on March I, 1868. There are three cnll
dren, the Princess Sophie, born July -
1901; Prince Macmillan Charles. borl
September 20. 1902. and Prince Ernest
born May q. 1904.
The Archduke's wife was accused o
having inspired many of her husband
political "lndiscretions." She was
Czech as has been said. and the Czech
are Federalists. The Archduke's violen
incursions into politics revealed him a
an opponent OF the Magyar ascendency
Yet from her marriage the Duchess a
least kept up her appearance OF self-ef
facement Outwardly she was resigne,
to the anomalies OF her position. Sh
encouraged her husband In his dislike o
publicity. OF her qualities OF heart ant
brain none entertained the slightest doubt
Five years after her marriage to Fran
els Ferdinand the aged Emperor gave he
the title OF 'Durchlaucht" Four year
later Francis Joseph went so far as I
confer upon her the title OF Duchess o
Hohenberg, with the privilege OF bein
addressed as "IIighness." An imperia
decree issued at that time set forth tina
on the occasion OF official ceremonie
her place should be Immediately after tina
OF the archduchesses. On one occasion
indeed. she was placed ahead OF then
At the time of the visit of Crown Prime
Frederick William OF Germany to Vienn
she occupied the seat of honor betwee,
Francis Joseph and the Crown Prince.
1t was generally believed In Vienn
that on the death of Francis Joseph tn
first official act OF Francis FERDINAND
would be to make his wife Empress o
Austria, this in spite OF his solemn prom
ise TO his uncle. The Austrian court Ia
so long been without an empress tina
the elevation OF the Duchess OF Hohen
berg would have been welcomed by tn
people who at the time OF her marriag
fought so bitterly against her
The Duchess was tall, dark hare,