Royalty Can Change by Following Austrian Archduke's Example

Americans are bombarded with images of European royalty behaving badly, whether they're pushing to be seen at the latest Broadway opening or sports competition, getting caught having tawdry affairs, or appearing on the Jeffrey Epstein flight manifests. It may seem surprising that a member of the nobility — Eduard Habsburg, Archduke of Austria — has a strong sense of morality learned from his family that he lives and passes down to his children.

People in the U.S. may not realize that the origination of royalty was partly to uphold mores and the teachings of what was the universal church, the Catholic Church — that, as well as gathering armies plus revenues to defend the homeland and faith. Royalty was certainly not allowed power for the purpose of attending fashion shows or canning jams with disallowed trademarks.

I spoke to Archduke Eduard again, this time with WhatsApp. Not only has he been keeping busy as Hungary's ambassador to the Holy See, but he has just come out with his second book, "Building a Wholesome Family in a Broken World."

He's created a roadmap for being born, dating, marrying, and leading by example.

Thinking that new may not always be better and that the traditional ways might be coming back, I wondered if his emphasizing chastity would strengthen it as an option. Jokingly, he replied, "I just feel that if someone cool like me speaks of chastity, people will listen."

We are not born married to the perfect partner, but we're expected to pick right, as divorce is an anathema to a faith-strong society. The archduke supports two seemingly somewhat opposing concepts: "discerning dating" and "taking the plunge" (into marriage).

I wondered about that, how the tongue and groove of the ideas fit together for him. "People push the decision (down the road). It's a fear of losing liberty. Fear of making a mistake. FOMO."

But he points out, "You usually don't have the choice of five to six [people]." We really aren't picking from several perfect soulmates, though it's hard not to think that maybe a dashing Habsburg would have had more glittering opportunities than the average Joe.

As for young ladies, the reason why Norman Rockwell's Girl at Mirror has touched so many people throughout the years is everyone wonders if they have what it takes to find that perfect match.

The archduke wrote about giving credence to family members' opinions of your date, but steps away from that quite a bit in conversation.

"Listening to the family comes very far down the list, if you're not in a total war with your family. If they give serious reasons, listen."

Could that process get attenuated? Archduke Eduard suggests that for Catholics, at least, you might have to switch churches or even parishes to meet your spouse.

I asked if it's OK to date quite a bit if you're not meeting the quality, values that fit. He responded thoughtfully.

"There's an old saying: 'Don't let the idea be the enemy of the possible.' Depends what you mean by 'dating.'"

He emphasizes that one shouldn't be pursing relationship after relationship.

"The aim is for lifelong happiness."

The Habsburgs certainly have raised their families with nobility of thought for generations – something within the ability of all of us. Archduke Eduard's family encouraged the children to produce plays, music, and dance.

I pointed out that is becoming more difficult in the U.S., with arts classes cut in schools, parents working, and themselves perhaps not having had the training to carry on. Still, the archduke feels the arts should be a priority.

"I do believe it's important to instill a sense of beauty, a sense of awe of art. I'm lucky. I happen to live in Rome, with museums."

But he notes that there are many online museum websites, too. He also likes the idea of the family's children preparing a Christmas play.

I noted that he doesn't talk about team sports, skiing, tennis, or golf for young people, though one does see them celebrated at Catholic schools.

"In my family, it isn't a priority," he said, while he conceded that other families do go skiing. "It's expensive if you have lots of children."

As for some of the more ancient sports in which Habsburgs may have participated in the past, "Nobody did fencing in our family. We don't live in a court anymore."

Habsburgs as emperors have made good use of learning several languages; and, consequently, it's important they take it up early. With borders so close, the archduke allows that picking up multiple tongues is more casual.

He admits that he had to brush up on his Hungarian to take the post of Hungarian ambassador to the Holy See, but that speaking different languages has helped in his diplomatic work.

Tamar Alexia Fleishman was the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's youngest female solo violinist. She travels globally, providing readers with international flavor and culture. She's debated Bill Maher, Greta Van Susteren and Dr. Phil. She practices law in Maryland with a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and a B.A. in Political Science from Goucher College. Read Tamar Alexia Fleishman's Reports — More Here.