The Empress: Are the Habsburgs still royalty?

The Empress is back on Netflix for Season 2 and has history buffs sniffing for a lesson in one of Europe’s most famous dynasties back in the day.

It follows the story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria as she courts her first cousin, Emperor Franz Joseph I, and marries him. The show re-imagines her demanding role as an Empress and her struggles to fit into it.

The story of ‘Sisi’ (as her family fondly calls her) is true, and the show is partly accurate in depicting the events before her marriage to Franz.

While The Crown has given enough spotlight to the British Monarchy, Netflix’s latest The Empress puts the radar on the Austrian Empress and the Habsburg Dynasty. Franz ruled from 1848 to 1916 as a member of the House of Habsburg.

The Habsburg Dynasty’s rule ended in November 1918 after its last Emperor, Karl I, went into exile in Switzerland. While they are not currently the ruling Dynasty and are not considered royalty, many Habsburgs are still involved in current politics in Europe and America.

More on the House of Habsburgs as shown in The Empress in our story.

Who were the Habsburgs? Exploring Franz’s House from Netflix’s The Empress

Habsburgs were the German-Austrian royal family and the most important dynasties from the 15th to the 20th centuries. They ruled Austria from 1282 to 1918 and Hungary & Bohemia between 1526 and 1918. They also controlled the Spanish Empire from 1504 to 1506 and 1516 to 1700.

After his uncle, Emperor Ferdinand I, didn’t have a legitimate heir to the throne, Franz knew he would become the Emperor one day. The Netflix show recounts the period of Franz I’s reign, 1848.

This dominant house during the European Renaissance period was notorious for its ability to gain power over any dynasty and was well-known for its patronage of art, literature, and science.

Some well-known rulers from the House of Habsburgs are as follows-

Charles V of Spain (nephew of Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon)
Marie Antoinette
Ferdinand II of Spain (who financed Christopher Columbus’ journey to the Americas!)
Maximilian I of Mexico

The Habsburgs from The Empress ruled over many parts of the country, including the Holy Roman Empire (Frederick IV), the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Burgundy (Maximilian I), Spain, Austria, Europe, and parts of America (Emperor Charles V).

Are members of the Habsburg dynasty still alive? Exploring the whereabouts of the dynasty shown in The Empress

The Habsburg Dynasty’s rule ended in November 1918 after its last Emperor, Karl I, went into exile in Switzerland. While he tried to regain power over Hungary twice, both failed, and his family was relocated to Madeira in 1921.

While this ended their rule, some Habsburgs are still active in politics in Europe and at least one socialite in America.

Here are some active members of the dynasty shown in Netflix’s The Empress

Karl von Habsburg in Austria – Head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine
Tatiana Galitzine, daughter of Princess Maria Anna Galitzine and Prince Piotr Galitzine in Houston, Texas ( great-granddaughter of Emperor Charles I of Austria)
Eduard Habsburg-Lothringen, the Archduke Eduard of Austria ( a Hungarian diplomat and a member of the House of Habsburg Lorraine)

Catch both the seasons of The Empress on Netflix.

For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.

Related Posts

SHOCKING EXIT: Jimmy Kimmel Drops Bombshell—‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Ends, He’s Bolting to Canada for Good! 🌟

In a jaw-dropping revelation that has left the entertainment world reeling, late-night TV legend Jimmy Kimmel has announced that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will officially end on January 20—but that’s not all. Kimmel also…

Patrick Mahomes & Brittany Matthews Share First Close-Up Pic of Their Baby Girl! But Fans Are Shocked by a Strange Condition… 

Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany Matthews, have finally shared the first close-up photo of their newborn baby girl, and while the internet was buzzing with excitement, the conversation…

Fox News Shocker: Kennedy Montgomery’s Cryptic Message to Kat Timpf on Gutfeld! Leaves Fans Baffled! 🌟💥

**Kennedy Montgomery Sends Heartfelt Message to Kat Timpf Amid Cancer Battle**In a touching display of camaraderie and support, Fox News star Kennedy Montgomery has stepped in to…

Rihanna WARNS Tyla for Stealing Her Song and Copying Her Look: A Story of Artistic Integrity

The music industry has seen its fair share of feuds, but when a global icon like Rihanna speaks up, the world listens. And this time, the Fenty Beauty mogul and…

Donna Gushes Over Taylor’s iHeartRadio Win—Calls Her ‘My Daughter’ & Jokes Travis Is ‘Naughty’

It’s official—Donna Kelce is all in when it comes to Taylor Swift! The proud mother of Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce couldn’t contain her excitement after Taylor’s record-breaking…

KAROLINA PROTSENKO TAKES OVER AMERICA’S GOT TALENT STAGE: From Violin to DANCE—Her Spontaneous Performance Will Leave You SPEECHLESS!

Music fans know Karolina Protsenko as a violin prodigy, mesmerizing crowds with her soulful, emotionally charged performances on the streets and social media. But no one expected…