Ferdinand I of Austria and his wife, Maria Anna

Ferdinand I abdicated in favour of Francis Joseph. What was his title and
style following his abdication? What was the title and style of his wife,
the (former?) Empress Maria Anna after Ferdinand I died?

Charles von Hamm

Hovite...

"He received the title Duke of Reichstadt, that had once belonged to
his late nephew, Napoleon's only son."

Charles von Hamm...

Hmm, I wonder if that was in place or in addition to his former imperial and
royal title...

Charles von Hamm

Tom Wilding / Stephen Stillwell...

Did Ferdinand know that he had in fact abdicated. It has always been my
understanding that he was certifiable. There is a famous story about his
wanting dumplings with his dinner one night.

(Gary Holtzman) garyholtzman...

He was retarded, not insane. Accounts of his meeting with his nephew at
the time of his abdication are quite touching, and indicate that he was
well aware of what was happening, if not of all the complexities of the
situation.

Burke's Royal Families of the World, Volume I says in its entry that
Ferdinand abdicated "retaining his Imp and R style and dignity" - this would
imply that his wife did as well and that that continued into her widowhood.

Charles von Hamm...

I suppose then that he would have still been His Imperial and Royal
(Apostolic) Majesty Ferdinand I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary and
Bohemia? It would seem reasonable enough to me. I wonder though what the
varying protocols to having two emperors would be, although obviously
Francis Joseph was reigning. Would Maria Anna then have become a dowager
empress?

Charles von Hamm

Turenne...

What's the story? Is the desire for dumplings a sanity indicator? :)

Richard Lichten