Addressing Austrian Royalty: The Complex System Of Honorifics

The Austrian nobility was officially abolished in 1919, after the fall of Austria-Hungary. Prior to this, the style of address was usually Serene Highness or the lower style of Princely Grace. The princely title was the most prestigious of the Austrian nobility, usually borne by heads of families whose cadets were generally counts or countesses. The rank of Edler carried no official style, but Gnädiger Herr or Gnädige Frau were common forms of address.

The style of address was usually Serene Highness or the lower style of Princely Grace

The style of address for Austrian royalty was usually 'Serene Highness' or the lower style of 'Princely Grace'. The princely title was the most prestigious of the Austrian nobility, usually borne by heads of families whose cadets were generally counts or countesses. The title 'duke' was officially higher than 'prince', but it was rare in Austria, except among sovereign and mediatized houses, such as the House of Liechtenstein.

The Austrian nobility was officially abolished in 1919 after the fall of Austria-Hungary. However, members of noble families often hold multiple citizenships, as was the case for Otto von Habsburg, who was also a citizen of Germany.

The rank of Edler carried no official style, but 'Gnädiger Herr' or 'Gnädige Frau' were common forms of address. This title was not granted in Austria, but merely recognised there. It belonged to the patricians of the free city of Werl, in Germany, who had the hereditary right to exploit the nearby salt mines.

In historiography, the terms 'Austria' or 'Austrians' are frequently used as shorthand for the Habsburg monarchy since the 18th century. The rulers of the House of Habsburg almost continuously reigned as Holy Roman Emperors from 1438 to 1806.

The princely title was the most prestigious of the Austrian nobility

The Austrian nobility (German: österreichischer Adel) was officially abolished in 1919 after the fall of Austria-Hungary. However, before this, the style of address for Austrian royalty was usually "Serene Highness" (Durchlaucht) or the lower style of "Princely Grace" (Fürstliche Gnaden). The princely title was the most prestigious of the Austrian nobility, usually borne by heads of families whose cadets were generally counts or countesses. In some mediatized princely families (Reichsfürsten), members were allowed to bear the same title as cadets of royalty: prince or princess (Prinz/Prinzessin) with the style of Serene Highness.

Austria's system of nobility was very similar to that of Germany, as both countries were previously part of the Holy Roman Empire (962–1806). Any noble living in the Habsburg-ruled lands, and who owed allegiance to the dynasty and therefore to the emperor, was also considered part of the Austrian aristocracy. This applied to any member of the Bohemian, Hungarian, Polish, Croatian, and other nobilities in the Habsburg dominions.

In historiography, the terms "Austria" or "Austrians" are frequently used as shorthand for the Habsburg monarchy since the 18th century. From 1438 to 1806, the rulers of the House of Habsburg almost continuously reigned as Holy Roman Emperors. However, the realms of the Holy Roman Empire were mostly self-governing and are thus not considered to have been part of the Habsburg monarchy. Hence, the Habsburg monarchy (of the Austrian branch) is often called "Austria" by metonymy.

Members of noble families often hold multiple citizenships, as was the case for Otto von Habsburg, who was also a citizen of Germany. The Austrian law does not apply to artistic, performer or stage names, where "von" is sometimes used, as in the case of conductor Herbert von Karajan or the musician Hubert von Goisern. However, stage names are never recognised for official purposes.

The Austrian nobility was officially abolished in 1919

The style of address for Austrian royalty was usually "Serene Highness" or the lower style of "Princely Grace". The princely title was the most prestigious of the Austrian nobility, usually borne by heads of families whose cadets were generally counts or countesses. The rank of Edler carried no official style, but "Gnädiger Herr" or "Gnädige Frau" were common forms of address.

The Austrian nobility was abolished by the Adelsaufhebungsgesetz (Arbitration Act) of 3 April 1919 ("Law on the Abolition of Nobility"), which abolished nobility as well as all noble privileges, titles and names in Austria. The law also dethroned and exiled the Imperial House of Habsburg, confiscating their properties.

The law abolishing nobility and titles was never repealed, even during the period of Austrofascism (1934-1938). Although noble titles are no longer legal, some persons are still unofficially referred to by their titles.

The Austrian system of nobility was very similar to that of Germany

The style of address for Austrian royalty was usually "Serene Highness" (Durchlaucht) or the lower style of "Princely Grace" (Fürstliche Gnaden). The princely title was the most prestigious of the Austrian nobility, usually borne by heads of families whose cadets were generally counts/countesses. In some mediatized princely families (Reichsfürsten), members were allowed to bear the same title as cadets of royalty: prince/princess (Prinz/Prinzessin) with the style of Serene Highness.

The rank of Edler carried no official style, but "Gnädiger Herr" or "Gnädige Frau" were common forms of address. This title belonged to the patricians of the free city of Werl, in Germany, who had the hereditary (erb-) right to exploit the nearby salt mines (salz). Thus, this title was not granted in Austria, but merely recognised there.

Members of noble families often hold multiple citizenships, as was the case for Otto von Habsburg, who was also a citizen of Germany. The Austrian law does not apply to artistic, performer or stage names, where "von" is sometimes used, as in the case of conductor Herbert von Karajan or the musician Hubert von Goisern. However, stage names are never recognised for official purposes.

Members of noble families often hold multiple citizenships

The Austrian nobility was a status group that was officially abolished in 1919 after the fall of Austria-Hungary. The style of address for Austrian royalty was usually "Serene Highness" or the lower style of "Princely Grace". The princely title was the most prestigious of the Austrian nobility, usually borne by heads of families whose cadets were generally counts or countesses. The rank of Edler carried no official style, but "Gnädiger Herr" or "Gnädige Frau" were common forms of address.

The term "Austria" or "Austrians" is frequently used as shorthand for the Habsburg monarchy since the 18th century. From 1438 to 1806, the rulers of the House of Habsburg almost continuously reigned as Holy Roman Emperors. The realms of the Holy Roman Empire were mostly self-governing and are thus not considered to have been part of the Habsburg monarchy. Hence, the Habsburg monarchy (of the Austrian branch) is often called "Austria" by metonymy.

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