Quick Facts
Biography
Prince Richard Klemens von Metternich (German: Richard Klemens, Fürst von Metternich-Winneburg; 7 January 1829 – 1 March 1895), usually known as Richard (von) Metternich, was an Austrian diplomat and the eldest surviving son of the illustrious diplomat Prince Klemens von Metternich.
Life and career
Richard Metternich was born in Vienna on 7 January 1829 as the son of Prince Klemens von Metternich and his second wife, Baroness Maria Antonia von Leykam (1806–1829).
In 1855, Metternich followed his father into diplomacy, joining the Austrian Empire's embassy to the Second French Empire in Paris as a Legationssekretär (essentially a junior diplomat on a probation period). The next year, he was named Austria's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Saxony and took up his post in Dresden.
Also in 1856, he married his half-niece, Pauline Sándor de Szlavnicza. She was the daughter of Count Moritz Sándor de Szlavnicza and Richard Metternich's half-sister, Princess Leontine von Metternich (daughter of Prince Klemens von Metternich and his first wife, Countess Eleonore von Kaunitz). His wife was thereafter commonly known as Princess Pauline von Metternich.
In 1861, Emperor Franz Joseph I issued his February Patent and the follow-up October Diploma, thus creating the new Austrian Reichsrat. Metternich became an hereditary member of the Herrenhaus, the upper house of the new Reichsrat.
From 1859 to 1870, Metternich served as Ambassador of the Austrian Empire (after 1867, of Austria–Hungary) to the court of Napoleon III of France. During this period, his wife played a prominent role in Parisian society.
Metternich attempted to convince France to intervene on behalf of Austria during the Austro-Prussian War, but he was unsuccessful in this attempt. In 1857, while serving at the Imperial court, Metternich received the highest mark in the celebrated dictée de Mérimée.
In retirement, he edited and arranged for the publication of his father's memoirs. He died on 1 March 1895.
Issue
Richard and Pauline von Metternich had three children:
- Princess Sophie von Metternich-Winneburg (1857–1941)
- Countess Antoinette Pascalina von Metternich-Sándor Winneburg (1862–1890)
- Countess Klementina Marie von Metternich-Sándor Winneburg (1870–1963)
Since his marriage produced three daughters, after his death, the princely title of Fürst passed to his half-brother, Paul von Metternich.