H.I. & R.H. Archduke Otto von Habsburg is buried

In a moving ceremony The Herald knocks three times at the door of the monastery seeking admittance of the remains of Otto von Habsburg. The first time when asked who is there, he recites all the titles by which Otto von Habsburg was properly known. He is not given admittance as they do not know such a person. The second time all Otto's achievements in life are recited, again he is refused admittance, no such person is known. On the third time when asked who is there, the Herald says, "a mortal man and a sinner", as such Otto is finally given admittance and is buried in the Habsburg crypt alongside his wife who died last year.

For one brief moment, Vienna was again at the centre of an Empire and we had a glimpse of what might have been. We shed a tear for the man who was denied his proper place on the throne but nonetheless served his peoples well. He will be remembered with love, affection, admiration and respect.

To those Austrians who have denied Otto his rights in the past and continue to bear resentment - may you all be ashamed, for you will never achieve as much as he.

In final honour - the Kaiserhymn!