Franz, Duke of Hohenberg

Franz Ferdinand, Duke of Hohenberg (born 13 September 1927 at Artstetten Castle, Austria – died 16 August 1977 at Ried in der Riedmark, Austria), was the eldest son of Maximilian, Duke of Hohenberg and Countess Maria of Waldburg zu Wolfegg und Waldsee. He was also a grandson of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his morganatic wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg. As a result of that morganatic marriage, the Hohenbergs were excluded from the line of succession to the Austro-Hungarian throne.

Following the collapse of the monarchy, all Austrian titles were abolished by law in 1919. From then on, names officially consisted only of forename and surname, without von or titles, scilicet Franz Ferdinand Hohenberg.

He was born His Serene Highness Prince Franz Ferdinand of Hohenberg, but in 1962 on the death of his father, he became the 2nd Duke of Hohenberg and Head of the House of Hohenberg.

On 9 May 1956 in Luxembourg, Prince Franz married HRH Princess Elisabeth of Luxembourg, a daughter of Charlotte, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. They had two daughters, seven grandchildren and three great-grandsons:

Since he had no sons, he was succeeded by his younger brother Georg as Duke of Hohenberg and head of the House of Hohenberg.