James, Elector of Lower Bavaria

Predecessor

**James, Elector of Lower Bavaria** (James Steven Frederick Maximilian; born 6 February 1996) is the Elector of Lower Bavaria and the heir apparent to the Austro-Hungarian throne as the eldest son of King Steven and Queen Amanda. Upon the death of his grandfather on 14 October 2011 he inherited the Duke of Styria title which his father vacated upon becoming King.

James was born in Belvedere, Vienna as the first grandchild of King John and Queen Jacqueline. He was educated at Kalksburg College, where all previous royals had been educated. He later attended Vorarlberg University in the far west of Austria where he met Amina Mirzakhanova they would marry in March 2020, with whom he has had one daughter Princess Sophie.

As Duke of Styria, James has undertaken official duties on behalf of the King. He has used his position to help grow relations between his country and other European nations primarily Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the United Kingdom. He has supported and founded numerous charities and his views on environmentalism have gained widespread praise. Away from this his personal views on religion and his reluctance to allow his daughter to get baptised has gained criticsm.

## Duke of Styria

James officially became Duke of Styria on 14 October 2011 upon the death of his grandfather King John, as the title is traditionally held by the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His investiture was not held until 10 February 2013 due to the funeral of his grandfather and the coronation of his father.

### Official duties

Since becoming Duke his official duties have increased with only his father carrying out more official engagements than him, with James carrying out 250 to 300 engagements a year on average. He mainly undertakes duties to help continue growth between Austria-Hungary and the Confederation realms, he has also helped grow relations between his nation and Germany and the United Kingdom. Since he began his relationship with Amina Mirzakhanova began in 2015 he began attending funeral of foreign dignitaries on his fathers behalf.

## Personal life

*Main article: Wedding of Prince James and Amina Mirzakhanova*
During his youth James was linked to a number of women primarily Lady Amelia Windsor, who at the time was 36th in line to the British throne, he was briefly in a relationship with her in 2014. Shortly after their relationship ended James attended Vorarlberg University in Dornbin in the far west of Austria where he met Amina Mirzakhanova a Russian-born model who had won Miss Austria in 2012. They confirmed their relationship in May of 2015 and they announced their engagement in April 2019, they would marry on March 4, 2020 at St. Stephen's Cathedral. Following their marriage they moved to Hermesvilla and had their first child together Sophie in July 2022.

## Residence and finance

James and his family reside in Hermesvilla, a palace in Vienna that was built by Emperor Franz Joseph I for his wife Empress Elisabeth. He also uses Kaiservilla in Bad Ischl as a holiday home, but this residence he shares with his brother and sister. Whilst carrying out official business within the Confederation realms he resides at Miramare Castle in Northern Italy, he also owns Trausnitz Castle his official residence as Elector of Lower Bavaria. He also uses Brownsea Castle in Dorset, England whilst on official business in the United Kingdom and Glen Eyrie in Colorado Springs as residence in the United States.

## Titles, styles, honours and arms

### Titles and styles

* 6 February 1996 – 14 October 2011: *His Royal Highness* Prince James of Styria
* 14 October 2011 – 1 January 2022: *His Royal Highness* The Duke of Styria
* 1 January 2022 – present: *His Royal Highess* The Elector of Lower Bavaria