leopold ii
Maria Luisa of Spain

Empress Maria Theresa’s third son – Leopold II: Grand Duke and Emperor

The future Emperor Leopold II was born on 5 May 1747 in Vienna as the third son of Empress Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen. As the third son, he was not expected to rule one day, and he was at first educated for the priesthood. However, his studies seemed to have influenced him against the [read more]