Charles I of Austria

Reign: 1916 – 1918
Life: 1887–1922

He was the last of the monarchs belonging to the House of Habsburg-Lorraine to rule over Austria-Hungary. In 1911, he married Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma. He began secret negotiations with the Allies, hoping to peacefully end the First World War, but was unsuccessful. Despite Charles's efforts to preserve the empire by returning it to federalism and by championing Austro-Slavism, Austria-Hungary hurtled into disintegration: Czechoslovakia and the State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs were proclaimed, and Hungary broke monarchic ties to Austria by the end of October 1918. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, Charles "renounced any participation" in government affairs, but did not abdicate. Charles spent the early part of his exile in Switzerland.

During Charles I of Austria's reign, Wilhelmina of the Netherlands ruled Netherlands, Wilhelm II ruled Prussia, and Alfonso XIII ruled Spain.

Want to learn more? Further reading

The Last Habsburg by Gordon Brook-Shepherd

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The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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The Last Habsburg

Gordon Brook-Shepherd

Brook-Shepherd on Blessed Karl, peace attempts, collapse, and exile after the First World War.

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