Rudolf (21 August 1858 30 January 1889), archduke of Austria and crown prince of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia, was the son and heir-apparent of Franz Joseph, emperor of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia, and his wife and empress, Elisabeth. His death, apparently through suicide, along with that of his mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera, at his Mayerling hunting lodge in 1889 made international headlines, fueled international conspiracy rumours and ultimately may have sealed the long-term fate of the Habsburg monarchy.
In Vienna, on 10 May 1881, he married Princess Stéphanie of Belgium, a daughter of King Leopold II of the Belgians.
His mother regarded her new daughter-in-law as a "clumsy oaf." By the time their only child, the Archduchess Elisabeth
( later known as the Red Princess ), was born on 2 September 1883, the couple had drifted apart, and he found solace in drink and other female companionship.
Black and white photo colored by me in GIMP.
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In Vienna, on 10 May 1881, he married Princess Stéphanie of Belgium, a daughter of King Leopold II of the Belgians.
His mother regarded her new daughter-in-law as a "clumsy oaf." By the time their only child, the Archduchess Elisabeth
( later known as the Red Princess ), was born on 2 September 1883, the couple had drifted apart, and he found solace in drink and other female companionship.
Black and white photo colored by me in GIMP.
