On 4 July 2011, Otto von Habsburg, also known as Otto of Austria, former head of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and Sovereign of the Order of the Golden Fleece (1922–2007), and former Crown Prince (1916–1918) and, by pretense, Emperor-King (from 1922) of Austria-Hungary, died at 98 years old.
The following day, a 13-day period of mourning started in several countries formerly part of Austria-Hungary. Otto was entombed in the Imperial Crypt under the Capuchin Church in Vienna on 16 July and his heart buried in Pannonhalma Archabbey in Hungary on 17 July. Multiple requiems were celebrated. Many foreign dignitaries—among them reigning or former monarchs King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, King Michael I of Romania, Tsar Simeon II of Bulgaria, Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein, and Fra' Matthew Festing, Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta—attended the Requiem Mass in Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral on 16 July, presided over by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, which was followed by the entombment in the Imperial Crypt. Commemorations were also held in Bavaria.
This was the most recent burial of a royal Habsburg in the Imperial Crypt—following a centuries-old ceremony—where 145 other members of the House of Habsburg, among them many Holy Roman Emperors and Austrian Emperors, have been entombed since 1633.
Around 1,000 invited guests and 100,000 members of the public attended the funeral in Vienna, which was broadcast live by Austrian Television. A funeral procession over one kilometer long brought Otto's coffin from St. Stephen's Cathedral to the Imperial Crypt. The ceremonies led to large parts of central Vienna being closed down for public traffic.
The funeral has been described as the "last Emperor's funeral" to take place in Vienna.
Reaction.
The eldest son of Charles I, the last Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, and his wife, Zita of Bourbon-Parma, Otto was born as third in line to the thrones of Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia. With his father's ascent to the thrones in 1916, he was himself likely to become the Emperor. As his father never abdicated, Otto was considered by himself, his family and Austro-Hungarian legitimists to be the rightful Emperor-King. Forced to live in exile with his family after 1918, Otto was active on the Austrian and European political stage from the 1930s, as an early proponent of European integration and a fierce opponent of Nazism and communism. After the Second World War, he was Vice President (1957–1973) and President (1973–2004) of the International Paneuropean Union, and served as a Member of the European Parliament. He played a central role in the revolutions of 1989, as a co-initiator of the Pan-European Picnic. Later he was a strong supporter of the EU membership of central and eastern European countries.
He has been described as "the last Emperor" or "the last Habsburg".
 EU – European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said, "with Otto von Habsburg, a great European has left us who gave an important impetus to the European project throughout his rich life. ... [His] commitment to Europe should set a political example for all of us, especially in difficult times." In his statement, Barroso pointed out that Otto had "made a central contribution to the opening of the Iron Curtain and the peaceful reunification of our continent that had been divided for too long".
The President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, stated: "This morning, a European giant passed away [...] In the darkest hours of our continent, Otto von Habsburg has been a rock of truth and humanity. He resisted Nazism with the same determination he opposed the Communist regimes of the Eastern bloc. He kept the flame of hope for the reunification of Europe alive when many others had given up. I will never forget the moment when the Paneuropean Picnic, which Otto von Habsburg organised on 19 August 1989 at the Austro-Hungarian border, cut the first holes in that Iron Curtain of shame."
The European Parliament held a minute of silence in honour of Otto von Habsburg.
 European People's Party – President Wilfried Martens said: "Otto von Habsburg was a great European. He relentlessly defended the European project and European integration".
 European People's Party Group – Chairman Joseph Daul stated: "Otto von Habsburg embodied the history of European integration like no-one else. The son of the last Austro-Hungarian emperor fought all his life for democracy, freedom, and an understanding of the peoples of Europe. From the beginnings of the movement for European integration following the end of World War II until the now-famous Paneuropean picnic on the border between Austria and Hungary in 1989, he succeeded in overcoming borders and showing Europeans a way forward to a common future."
 Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization – The UNPO secretary-general Marino Busdachin praised Otto as "a champion of multi-culturalism and European integration."
 Paneuropean Union – Bernd Posselt, chair of the Paneuropean Union in Germany, said Otto was "the last grand architect of European unity from the pioneer generation." Zoltán Wodianer-Nemessuri, chair of the Paneuropean Union in Hungary, stated: "He deserves undying respect in Hungary (for doing) by far the most to ensure that the 1956 Hungarian Uprising should not fade from public memory".
 Holy See – In a telegram addressed to Karl von Habsburg, Archduke of Austria, Pope Benedict XVI offered his condolences to the House of Habsburg. Benedict praised Otto von Habsburg as "a great European" who had worked tirelessly for peace, the coexistence of peoples and a just order in Europe. "In the hour of grief over this tragic loss, I associate myself with you and the entire imperial family in prayer for the deceased. In a long and fulfilling life, Archduke Otto was a witness to the eventful history of Europe," the Pope wrote. Cardinal Renato Martino remembered Otto as one of the twentieth century's "greatest defenders" of the Catholic faith and human dignity, stating that his father, "Blessed Karl of Austria, instilled in him from an early age that the office of a ruler is one of holy service and selfless sacrifice for the good of the peoples entrusted to him. It was a philosophy that would influence him all his life." Cardinal Christoph Schönborn said that "Otto von Habsburg was without doubt one of the really great Europeans," and that he should be regarded as one of the "architects of the European idea and of European integration" together with Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer, and Alcide De Gasperi. Schörnborn regretted that it had taken so much time for Austria to show "the reasonable gratitude towards the House of Habsburg, which Austria owes so incredibly much" and whose "political and cultural heritage we consume today."
 Hungary – As the news emerged about Otto's death in Budapest, Hungarian lawmakers immediately held a minute of silence in parliament. The President of Hungary, Pál Schmitt, and the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, both sent their condolences to the Habsburg family. An official government statement said that "his staunch support for the Hungarian cause and for Hungarian people brought him universal recognition and popularity in our country".
 Austria – Austrian president Heinz Fischer labeled Otto a "loyal citizen of the republic of Austria". Despite the fact that his family was forbidden to enter Austria until Otto formally renounced his claim to the throne, the president noted that his relationship with the republican government "had developed well in the last decades". Chancellor Werner Faymann said that "his life reflects the great turning points of the Austrian and European history."
Former Chancellor of Austria Wolfgang Schüssel said that Otto was "a convinced European and paved the way for Austria's road to Europe", and that he "internalized like no other person the all-European idea and articulated it already at a time when there was still a dark shadow over the continent." Othmar Karas, leader of the European Parliament delegation of the Austrian People's Party, said that "all of Europe is crying."
 Czech Republic – Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg praised Otto, stating that Otto had "courageously fought for the peoples imprisoned behind the Iron Curtain." Schwarzenberg remarked that Otto was the last person who had had a constitutional position "in the old Monarchy", stating that "we should never forget that he was the Crown Prince of Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia." Schwarzenberg also praised Otto's strong anti-Nazi stance, stating that the fact that the annexation of Austria was codenamed "Operation Otto", meant that "the Nazis knew Otto was their main enemy".
 Slovenia – President Danilo Türk said: "Otto von Habsburg was one of the strongest advocates of a united Europe, a great man and a promoter of human freedom."
 Latvia – Foreign Minister Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis sent his condolences to the German Foreign Minister, saying Habsburg's "involvement of spreading European democracy and the European idea will be remembered in Latvia."
 North Macedonia – President Gjorge Ivanov sent his letter of condolences to the Habsburg family, stating that Otto von Habsburg was a "friend of the Republic of North Macedonia" and that "he never forgot about North Macedonia."
 Kosovo – President Atifete Jahjaga sent her condolences to the Habsburg court, stating that "with deep sorrow I heard the news of the death of his Majesty Archduke Otto von Habsburg. Today, Europe has lost a prominent politician, the great proponent of peace and a contributor to its union, while Kosovo has lost an irreplaceable friend who will be considered and remembered forever. On this painful occasion, on behalf of the Republic of Kosovo and its citizens, and on my personal behalf, I express my most heartfelt condolences and my deepest sympathy to the Court of Habsburg."
 Croatia – Foreign Minister Gordan Jandroković sent his condolences to the Habsburg family, and described Otto as "a great political role model, a great European and a relentless promoter of human rights." He said that the Croatian people always had a great friend in Otto and that he will be especially remembered for his involvement and contribution to the international recognition of the Republic of Croatia, as well as for his support to Croatia's membership in the European Union.
 – Member of Parliament and President of the Federation of Expellees Erika Steinbach praised Otto as "a strong supporter of the refugees and a compassionate intermediary between the peoples of Europe".
 Bavaria – The ruling Christian Social Union of Bavaria, the party which Otto represented as a MEP, issued a statement, stating, "the CSU mourns the death of His Imperial and Royal Highness Dr. Otto von Habsburg." Prime Minister Horst Seehofer lauded Otto as "an advocate for Europe, a defender of freedom, and of the faith and our values." He also mentioned Otto's role in bringing down the Iron Curtain.
Funeral.
His funeral took place on 16 July 2011 in Vienna and on 17 July in Pannonhalma Archabbey, Hungary. A 13-day period of mourning started in several countries formerly part of Austria-Hungary on 5 July 2011, when the body of Archduke Otto was laid in repose in the Church of St. Ulrich near his home in Pöcking, Bavaria. The body was transferred by train to the Catholic pilgrimage basilica in Mariazell on 12 July, before being transferred by train to Vienna. Requiem Masses were celebrated in three countries, in Munich, Pöcking, Mariazell, Vienna, and Budapest. In accordance with the Habsburg tradition, his body and heart were buried separately. Otto was entombed in the Imperial Crypt ("Kapuzinergruft") together with his mother, wife and other family members. His heart was buried in Pannonhalma Archabbey in Hungary. Crown Prince Otto was educated by monks from Pannonhalma Benedictine College. He was exiled from Austria and Hungary in 1918.
The funeral has been described as a major event in Vienna's history; Cardinal Schönborn described it as "a historic moment for Austria", stating that it will be good for the country to "think of this great Habsburger in prayer and gratitude". Otto's mother, former Empress-Queen Zita's funeral in 1989, was attended by 40,000 people.
Otto was buried with military honours. The funeral in Vienna was broadcast live by Austrian Television and the requiem was also screened on big screens at Stephansplatz. The funeral procession through Innere Stadt was over one kilometer long. Following the procession, Otto was entombed in the Imperial Crypt. A blessing from Pope Benedict XVI was read during the requiem.
Otto was the penultimate person to be entombed in the Imperial Crypt, where 145 other members of his family have been entombed since 1633, because the Crypt is