Habsburg Jewels: Discussion Erupted

After the discovery of a treasure of the Habsburg imperial family, missing for 100 years, in Canada, a discussion about the ownership rights arose on Friday. While Karl Habsburg-Lothringen, the grandson of the last Austrian emperor, claims it is private jewelry of the family, historian Oliver Rathkolb expressed a different view in the "Ö1-Mittagsjournal" on Friday. He called for a legal review by an independent commission.

"We have, of course, had this legally examined very thoroughly, also through historical and legal expert opinions. And I believe these opinions are completely clear that it is purely private property, that there are no claims from the Republic on these objects," said Karl Habsburg-Lothringen to ORF. After the end of the monarchy in 1918, the Habsburg monarchy's possessions were expropriated in favor of the new state by the Habsburg Law of 1919. At that time, the jewelry was already in Switzerland, according to Habsburg-Lothringen. He spoke of pure private property of Emperor Karl I and Empress Zita, which was also confirmed by the Swiss authorities in 1921.

"It's not as simple as Mr. Karl Habsburg imagines"

"I see it completely differently than Mr. Karl Habsburg," said the historian. Rathkolb mentioned that there are multiple claims from the Austrian Republic, not only in the context of the Habsburg Law but also the Treaty of St. Germain. He mentioned that there are also Italian claims to part of these jewels. "I suggest that a professional, independent commission of experts examines this question." It is a complex history. "It's not as simple as Mr. Karl Habsburg imagines," said Rathkolb. A legal review is still pending. If it were so clear, why was the treasure brought to Canada and remained hidden for so long, the historian questioned.

"It was arranged from the beginning that two people always knew about it," said Habsburg-Lothringen in the "Ö1-Morgenjournal". "My grandmother set it up that way back then. I myself knew absolutely nothing about it." He was only informed about it by his cousins a year ago. The jewels are "objects from pure private jewelry."

Cultural Minister Andreas Babler (SPÖ) had already announced on Thursday an immediate review to determine whether the jewel is state property, and announced: "If it turns out that the Florentine Diamond is the property of the Republic of Austria, I will initiate the process to reclaim the jewel." In a current interview with the new online medium "Jetzt", Karl Habsburg clearly rejected such intentions: "For us, this statement plays no role at all. Because it was already adjudicated for the first time in 1921 and it was clearly established that it is pure private property of the family. So I can only say to Mr. Babler: Learn history."

Among the pieces is the legendary yellow diamond "Florentine", reported the German news magazine "Der Spiegel" on Thursday. "The 'Florentine' is stored along with other pieces of family jewelry in a safe deposit box in Canada," said family head Karl Habsburg. These and other rediscovered pieces are now to be exhibited in Canada first. Karl Habsburg did not rule out a presentation in Austria per se: "I can certainly imagine it in the long term." However, this cannot be predicted at this time.

Transport in Suitcase

According to Karl Habsburg, the grandson of the last Austrian emperor, Empress Zita, the widow of Karl I, brought the jewels to Canada in a brown suitcase. The hiding place is in the French-speaking province of Quebec. "Der Spiegel" was provided with current photos of the objects. These are the first images of them in more than 100 years. According to the report, the Viennese jeweler Christoph Köchert concluded in an expert opinion that the jewelry pieces that surfaced in Canada are genuine.

(APA/Red)

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