Archduke
The title of Archduke (feminine: Archduchess) (German: Erzherzog, feminine form: Erzherzogin) is a rank above Duke and under King. It is very rare. It was used only by males of the House of Habsburg.
Ruler style
The English word is recorded only since 1530, derived from Middle Latin archidux, from arch(i)- (primary or chief) + dux 'duke' .
Archduke (Erzherzog) is a title distinct from Grand Duke (Großherzog or Großfürst) that is used in some other German royal houses and still in sovereign Luxemburg.
Fictional archdukes
- Poggle the Lesser was the Archduke of Geonosis, a planet from the Star Wars universe.
Famous archdukes and duchesses
- Empress Maria Theresa was Archduchess of Austria.
- Archduchess Maria Antonia of Austria is better known as "Marie Antoinette" and was a daughter of Maria Theresa and the wife of Louis XVI of France.
- Maria Teresa of Austria was the wife of Louis XIV of France and is better known as "Marie Thérèse".
Archduke Media
Archducal hat, the coronet of an archduke
The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand (right) with his family. Ferdinand, along with his wife, was assassinated at Sarajevo in 1914, which sparked World War I
