HH Duke Georg von Hohenberg, GCPO, KM, GCJCO
Vienna 27 July 2019. The Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George notes with much sadness the passing on 24 July 2019, aged 90, of longstanding delegation member Duke Georg von Hohenberg. His Highness was Head of the Ducal House of Hohenberg from 1977 until his passing this week and was the senior agnate of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.
Duke Georg was a highly respected public servant and diplomat having served as Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to several states including the Holy See during the pontificate of Saint John Paul II.
The Duke of Hohenberg, who born on 25 April 1929 at Artstetten Castle, was a son of Duke Maximilian von Hohenberg and was a grandson of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Heir Presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian Empire whose assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 resulted in World War One. The Archduke’s mother was Princess Maria Annunziata of Bourbon Two Sicilies, daughter of King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies.
Duke Georg was first invested into the Constantinian Order in 1985 and promoted in 2011 to the rank of Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice. Among his other numerous state and dynastic honours were Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece (Austria), Knight Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of Pius IX (Holy See) and Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion (Sovereign Military Order of Malta).
Duke Georg is survived by his wife, Duchess Eleonore von Hohenberg, born Princess von Auersperg-Breunner, who was herself invested into the Constantinian Order in April 1985 and was later promoted in October 2011 to the rank of Dame Grand Cross of Justice.
The Delegation extends its sincere condolences to HH Dowager Duchess Eleonore, and to their children HH Duke Nikolaus, HSH Princess Henriette and HSH Prince Maximilian and all other members of the Hohenberg family at this time. The Requiem Mass will take place in Austria on 3 August 2019. Duke Georg will be remembered in prayer at the next delegation mass for deceased members.
Requiescat in pace. Ruhe in Frieden. Rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.