Ferdinand Habsburg, Archduke of Austria, to Join Austrian Army in December

Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (b.1997; normally known as Ferdinand Habsburg) is set to join the Austrian military in December 2019. The motor racing driver is the only son of Archduke Karl of Austria (b.1961), Head of the Imperial House of Habsburg, and Archduchess Francesca (b.1958; née Thyssen-Bornemisza de Kászon et Impérfalva), who married in 1993. Ferdinand is the grandson of the late Dr. Otto von Habsburg (1912-2011), Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, and Archduchess Regina (1925-2010; née Saxe-Meiningen).

 

 

 

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Swapping fireproof to camouflage for a while.⠀ I’m starting my military service in January. Happy to be able to give back to my country. But don’t worry, I won’t let my racing seat go cold for too long. I will be back in 2020. And probably fitter than ever, because the Austrian army offers excellent opportunities for us athletes. Watch this space for further details.⠀ – ⠀ Jetzt heißt es Uniform statt Rennanzug!⠀ Schon im Januar beginnt mein Präsenzdienst beim Österreichischen Bundesheer und ich bin stolz, meiner Heimat etwas zurückgeben zu können.⠀ Aber keine Sorge, ich werde 2020 wieder in meinem Rennwagen sitzen und das wahrscheinlich fitter denn je, denn unser Heer bietet für uns Athleten exzellente Möglichkeiten. Jedenfalls halte ich Euch hier auf dem Laufenden. #bundesheer #ÖBH #österreich

A post shared by Ferdinand Habsburg (@fhabsburg62) on Nov 28, 2019 at 3:18am PST

Ferdinand announced that he would be beginning his military service via his social media accounts. Ferdinand’s father Karl joined the Austrian Army for training as a reserve officers career in 1981. Between 1982- 1984, Archduke Karl served as a platoon commander, and, later in 1984, joined the Austrian Air Force for pilot training as a Lieutenant. From 1985-1996, Karl von Habsburg served as a pilot in the Austrian Air Force. Thus, in a way, Ferdinand is following in a family tradition.