Archduke Franz Ferdinand Timeline 1863-1914

Franz Ferdinand, was born to Archduke Karl Ludwig and his wife, Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, at Graz, Austria.

Franz Ferdinand’s brother, Otto Franz, was born to Archduke Karl Ludwig and his wife, Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.

Franz’s brother, Ferdinand Karl, was born to Archduke Karl Ludwig and his wife, Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.

Franz’s sister, Margarete Sophie, was born to Archduke Karl Ludwig and his wife, Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies.

Franz Ferdinand’s mother, Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, died.

Archduke Karl Ludwig married Maria Theresa of Portugal.

Duke Francis V of Modena, died, he was Franz Ferdinand’s cousin. Franz was named beneficiary and inherited a vast fortune.

Franz’s half-sister, Maria Annunziata, was born to Archduke Karl Ludwig and Maria Annunziata of Austria.

Franz’s half-sister, Elisabeth Amalie, was born to Archduke Karl Ludwig and Maria Annunziata of Austria.

Franz served time in the Austrian Army.

Franz Ferdinand was promoted to the rank of Captain in the army.

Franz was promoted to the rank of Major in the army.

The heir to the Austrian throne, Crown Prince Rudolf, Committed suicide. Franz Ferdinand became second in line to the throne of Austria.

Franz Ferdinand was promoted to the rank of Colonel.

Franz Ferdinand spent most of the year travelling the world.

Franz Ferdinand was promoted to the rank of Major.

Franz decided that he wanted to marry Sophie Choteck von Chotkova, a lady in waiting. However, permission was refused because her status was considered far beneath the second in line to rule the Empire.

Archduke Karl Ludwig died of typhoid. The death of his father meant that Franz Ferdinand became heir to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.

Franz married Sophie Choteck von Chotkova at Reichstadt (Zakupy). The Emperor, Franz Joseph, had finally given permission for the marriage to go ahead on condition that their children would not have succession rights to the Empire. The only members of the royal family to attend the wedding were Franz’s step-mother and two half-sisters.

A daughter, Sophie, was born to Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Choteck.

Franz was created Admiral in the Austro-Hungarian navy.

A son, Maximillian was born to Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Choteck.

A son, Ernst was born to Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Choteck.

Franz Ferdinand’s brother, Otto Franz, died.

A stillborn son was born to Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Choteck.

Franz was appointed Inspector General of the Austro-Hungarian army.

Franz and Sophie visited King George V and Queen Mary of Britain.

Franz and Sophie were invited to Sarajevo to inspect troops stationed there.

Franz Ferdinand and Sophie arrived at Sarajevo Station where they were met by the Governor General with cars for the journey to the Town Hall. Unbeknown to the authorities, members of the Black Hand Serbian Nationalist group had planned to assassinate the Archduke and had stationed assassins along the procession route.

Assassin Nedeljko Cabrinovic threw a grenade at the Archduke’s car. It missed the Archduke’s car but exploded under the car behind injuring about 20 people. The injured were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Franz Ferdinand and Sophie arrived at the Town Hall. The archduke was furious at the assassination attempt, cancelled the tour and demanded to be taken to the hospital to visit the wounded.

Travelling towards the hospital, the motorcade took a wrong turning and had to reverse and turn around. This caused the motorcade to stop. Assassin Gavrilo Princip was coming out of a shop. He stepped up to the stationary car and shot Franz in the neck and Sophie in the stomach. The bullet that hit Sophie was meant for Governor Potiorek. The driver of the car quickly turned and sped to the Town Hall. At this point he believed the couple were unhurt.

Franz Ferdinand and Sophie Choteck were pronounced dead on arrival at the Town Hall.