Vienna – January 2012. The Grand Master of the Constantinian Order, HRH The Duke of Castro, decreed in October 2011 the promotion of Their Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Hohenberg within the Order.
The Duke of Hohenberg, is the grandson of HI & RH Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Heir Presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian Empire who was murdered in Sarajevo in 1914. The Archduke’s mother was HRH Princess Maria Annunziata of Bourbon Two Sicilies, daughter of King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies.
Duke Georg served as Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Holy See under part of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II. His Highness is the current Head of the Ducal House of Hohenberg and was first invested into the Constantinian Order in 1985 and promoted last October to the rank of Bailiff Grand Cross of Justice.
The Duchess Eleonore von Hohenberg, born Princess von Auersperg-Breunner, was first invested into the Constantinian Order in April 1985 and was promoted in October 2011 to the rank of Dame Grand Cross of Justice.
The Duke and Duchess of Hohenberg received their diplomas and insignia at a ceremony held in the Austrian capital. The ceremony was conducted on behalf of the Grand Master by the Grand Magistral Delegate for Inter-Religious Relations, Mr Anthony Bailey and was attended by some of the Duke’s immediate family members.