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Karl, Emperor of Austria-Hungary

Austro-Hungarian soldiers celebrate the 30th birthday of Kaiser Karl, waving paper lanterns as one holds a framed portrait of the Emperor in an postcard promotion for a Festival for the Kaiser.
Text:
On lantern: Hoch unser geleibster Kaiser
Kaiserfest der 99 Ger. im Hohenmauther Prater am 17 August 1917
Hurrah for our beloved Emperor
Festival for the Kaiser 99 Ger. im Hohenmauther Prater on August 17, 1917

Austro-Hungarian soldiers celebrate the 30th birthday of Kaiser Karl, waving paper lanterns as one holds a framed portrait of the Emperor in an postcard promotion for a Festival for the Kaiser.

Image text

On lantern: Hoch unser geleibster Kaiser



Kaiserfest der 99 Ger. im Hohenmauther Prater am 17 August 1917



Hurrah for our beloved Emperor



Festival for the Kaiser 99 Ger. im Hohenmauther Prater on August 17, 1917

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Emperor Karl I of Austria-Hungary and King Karl IV of Hungary.

On the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Karl, son of Franz Ferdinand's younger brother, became heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. On the death of his great-uncle Franz Joseph on November 21, 1916, Karl assumed the titles Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary. He took command of the army on December 2, 1916.

Karl entered into secret negotiations with France for a peace separate from Germany. His denials of these negotiations were disproved when French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau released letters Karl had signed. Ottokar Czernin, Foreign Minister for both Franz Joseph and Karl, resigned in protest.

Karl relieved Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf as Chief of the Austro-Hungarian General Staff on March 1, 1917.

With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Karl relinquished participation in the administration of the state, but never abdicated his throne, and twice tried to restore the monarchy. To prevent further attempts, the Allies exiled him to the island of Madeira in 1921, delivered there on a British cruiser.

Karl died on April 1, 1922.

Due in part to his efforts to end the war, Karl was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 3, 2004.

August 17, 1887

April 1, 1922

Austria-Hungary

Roles held by Karl, Emperor of Austria-Hungary

Role Start Date End Date
Heir to the Throne 1914-06-28 1916-11-21
Head of State 1916-11-21 1918-11-11