Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (b.1997; normally known as Ferdinand Habsburg) is set to join the Austrian military in December 2019. The motor racing driver is the only son of Archduke Karl of Austria (b.1961), Head of the Imperial House of Habsburg, and Archduchess Francesca (b.1958; née Thyssen-Bornemisza de Kászon et Impérfalva), who married in 1993. Ferdinand is the grandson of the late Dr. Otto von Habsburg (1912-2011), Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, and Archduchess Regina (1925-2010; née Saxe-Meiningen).
Ferdinand announced that he would be beginning his military service via his social media accounts. Ferdinand's father Karl joined the Austrian Army for training as a reserve officers career in 1981. Between 1982- 1984, Archduke Karl served as a platoon commander, and, later in 1984, joined the Austrian Air Force for pilot training as a Lieutenant. From 1985-1996, Karl von Habsburg served as a pilot in the Austrian Air Force. Thus, in a way, Ferdinand is following in a family tradition.
To visit Ferdinand Habsburg's personal website, please visit this link: Ferdinand Habsburg
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