The Funeral of the Son of a Blessed

Today we pray for the soul of

Franz Joseph
Otto
Robert Maria Anton Karl Max Heinrich Sixtus Xavier
Felix Renatus Ludwig Gaetan Pius Ignatius

Archduke Otto of Austria

the last Crown Prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire,

the son of

His Imperial and Apostolic Majesty

Blessed Karl I of Austria

who was laid to rest with his wife
in the tomb of the Emperors
in Vienna on Saturday, 16 July.

His heart will be buried at the
Pannonhalma Archabbey
in Hungary on Sunday, 17 July.

After the Imperial Family's exile to Madeira in 1921 and the death of Blessed Charles, Archduke Otto was brought up by his mother the Empress Zita, herself a most extraordinary woman.

In this short clip (unfortunately only in French)

Archdukes Rudolph and Otto
speak of the influence of their wonderful mother.

The Archduke's wedding in Nancy, France.

Archduke Otto died peacefully in his sleep on
4 July, 2011, in Bavaria.
His remains were first transferred to Munich
for the first Requiem,
followed by a journey to the pilgrimage shrine of Mariazell
where he was laid in state
besides the remains of his wife Regina
who died in 2010.
After being translated to Vienna and the Requiem
the funeral procession conducted the
Archduke to his final resting place.

Finally the Archduke is laid to rest in the
Crypt of the Emperors in the Vienna's Capuchin Church.

The ancient ceremony of admittance is followed as the
hearse arrives at the doors of the church (as shown below).
The deceased Imperial personage is twice announced for admittance
using all his titles of nobility
to which the Capuchin within replies - "We do not know him".
Only on the third request when the deceased is announced as:
"Otto, a mortal, sinful human being!"
are the doors be open and the hearse admitted.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine,
et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Requiescat in pace.