One of the founders of the European Union, long considered to be a staunch proponent of Romania’s accession into the body, passed away in his home in Pocking, Germany. Memorial services and requiems were held in Munich and Paris, while the final resting place was in Vienna to accord the Head of the Habsburg dynasty the respect he so richly deserved.
As per his wishes, his heart was interned at the Monastery of Pannonhalma, Hungary as witnessed by his children and grandchildren, in the presence of the President of Hungary, Kalman Levente. Both TM King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia; Presidents of Austria (Heinz Fischer) and Georgia( Mihail Saakasvili); Macedonian P.M. (Gjorge Ivanov); the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek; Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Matthew Festing; Princes Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, Moritz von Hessen, Victor Emanuel of Savoy, Michel of Bourbon Parma; Joseph, Michael (who beautifully organized the funeral arrangements) and Geza of the Hungarian lineage of the Habsburg, Georg Friedrich of Prussia, Alexander of Schaumburg-Lippe, Kubrat of Bulgaria;, former rulers Simeon II of Bulgaria and Mihai of Romania; Carlos, Duke of Parma and Hugo, Duke of Wurttemberg were joined by many members of the distinguished Habsburg Family to celebrate the accomplishments of this remarkable leader of our modern day Europe.
