News

Talk, Topics, and Temperaments
The annual year-end event, which took place on 27 November 2025, was entitled ‘Crises, conflicts and AI – Where is our Europe Heading?’.
Commandery meeting in Anif
As has become tradition, Commander DI Dr. Wilhelm von Zitzewitz welcomed a large number of Knights, Dames and guests to the elegant and atmospheric setting of Gasthof Friesacher on 22 November 2025.
Habsburg family treasure reappears after 100 years
It is currently a global media topic that objects belonging to Blessed Emperor Karl, which were thought to be lost, have resurfaced.
A very special day full of impressions
On the occasion of the Order Day, nearly 200 Dames and Knights of the Order gathered at the Salesian Church on 18 October 2025.
Guided tour through Ambras Castle
On 14 November 2025, a group of Dames and Knights of the Commandery Europaregion Tirol visited Ambras Castle.
Autumn meeting at Chateau Niměřice
On 30 October 2025 in the Commandery residence of Niměřice Chateau, the traditional gathering of the Czech Commandery took place once again.
Classification based on historical models
At the end of October 2025, the ‘Association of the CRU Classification of Empress Maria Theresa’ once again invited guests to Gorizia, to take part in a charity auction of the finest wines.
An Honorary Ring for an Honorary Knight
The former President of the Lower Austrian Provincial Parliament and Honorary Knight Hans Penz was awarded the Order of Honour of the Province of Lower Austria on 23 October 2025.
Mass in honor of Blessed Emperor Karl I.
On Sunday, 19 October 2025, a solemn celebration in honor of Blessed Karl of Austria, the last emperor and Bohemian king, took place at the Church of St. Peter on Poříčí in Prague.
Impressions of the Order Day in Vienna
Here you find impressions of the Order Day on 18 October 2025 in Vienna and of the Meet & Greet events on the previous day.
Fireside Chat at the Pen Club Ljubljana
There was a hint of British club in the air as the Commandery of Slovenia held its first fireside chat at the renowned PEN CLUB in the heart of the city on 9 October 2025.
‘Russia under Putin: review and outlook’
On 7 October 2025 the Commandery Wien-Hofburg welcomed Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Wolfgang Müller from the Institute for Eastern European History at the University of Vienna.
First Central European Soirée
On 4 October 2025 the first Central European Soirée was held in the elegant surroundings of the Szidónia Castle Hotel in Hungary.
Salzburg Europe Summit: Europe and Hope
From 28 to 30 September 2025, the renowned SALZBURG EUROPE SUMMIT (SES) took place in Mozart’s city with a colloquium of the Order of St. George.
Procurator in Zagreb
On 26 September 2025, at the initiative of Capitular Romano Bolković, MA, an event was held in Zagreb, focusing on the Order’s perceptions and expectations of the Croatian Commanderies for the future.
Excursion to Brijuni National Park
On 22 September 2025, an all-day trip to Brijuni National Park was made together with the Ruža Petrović children’s home.
Summer lounge
On 19 September 2025, the Wiesbaden/Nassau Commandery hosted an exclusive summer lounge event at the ‘EinFach’ restaurant.
International conference ‘Central Europe: A constant in a changing world?’
On 15 and 16 September, an international conference was held in Ljubljana, bringing together renowned scientists, politicians and cultural figures from across Central Europe.
Cooperation between the Institute of the Regions of Europe and the Order of St. George finalised
On 15 September 2025 an agreement sealing a long-term cooperation in connection with the internationally renowned SALZBURG EUROPE SUMMIT was signed.
Social media as the sword of Damocles
On 13 September 2025, Order Knight Maximilian Schwinghammer, MSc, gave a presentation on The Order’s Social Media Project at the Commandery meeting in Hochkreut.
1st Sailing trip on Lake Neusiedl
On Saturday, 13 September 2025, the first sailing trip of the Order of St. George took place on Lake Neusiedl.
A question of attitude
On 12 September 2025, a panel discussion on the topic of ‘The 12 September: a question of attitude – Europe’s security and defence between tradition and future’ took place at Kahlenberg in Vienna.
The United Kingdom´s new role in and for Europe
From 5 to 7 September 2025, the Commandery of Great Britain & Northern Ireland welcomed 30 Dames, Knights and guests of the Order of St. George to London.
Visit to the Passion Plays in Erl
On 30 August 2025, the Commandery Europaregion Tirol, together with the Dames of the Order of St. George, organised a visit to the Passion Play in Erl, Tyrol.
Bosnia’s Grand Mufti receives Procurator
The head of the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina received the Procurator of the Order of St. George in Sarajevo for extensive discussions on 27 August 2025.
Summer cocktail of the Viennese Commanderies
On 27 August 2025, in glorious late summer weather, the traditional summer cocktail party of the Viennese Commanderies took place.
‘Preserving traditions also means preserving peace!’
On 17 August 2025, delegations from various traditional units and associations, as well as friends of authentic tradition preservation, gathered in the park of Laxenburg Palace to commemorate the birthday of Blessed Emperor Karl I.
Spontaneous summer project
On the initiative of our Order Knight Christian Kopf, a small group came together to actively help at Gut Aiderbichl at the beginning of August 2025.
‘A very special place on earth’
This is what our Procurator called the newly opened St. George’s Garden right next to the Order Residence, which was officially inaugurated on 2 July 2025 as part of the traditional summer party of the Viennese Commanderies.
Commandery meeting at Niměřice Castle
At the end of June 2025, the traditional meeting of the Commandery Tschechien took place again on the historic grounds of Niměřice Castle.
Discovered too late – the invisible killers in the abdomen
On the evening of 26 June 2025, the Commandery Wien-Arsenal invited to the venerable Order Residence of the Order of St. George for a lecture aimed at drawing attention to the invisible danger in the abdomen.
Ordo Sancti Silvestri Papae – a very special Knight’s Cross for our supreme knight
On June 13, 2025, our Procurator Baron Vinzenz von Stimpfl-Abele was bestowed a high honour: His Eminence Cardinal Dr. Christoph Schönborn OP awarded him the Knight’s Cross of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Sylvester.
An evening dedicated to grief, compassion and solidarity, but also resilience
On 12 June 2025, shortly after the end of the official national mourning period, around 30 Dames and Knights gathered for a Commandery meeting.
7th regatta of the Order of St. George
The 7th regatta of the Order of St. George, held on 7 to 10 June 2025, brought together 9 boats and over 50 sailors from Austria, Czechia and Slovenia.
The Pontifical Institute Santa Maria dell’Anima…
…was the focus of a lecture by Rector Dr Michael Max on 6 June 2025.
Reading recommendation: The metastases of the zeitgeist
Procurator Baron Vinzenz von Stimpfl-Abele wrote an essay in ‘Die Tagespost’ on 28 May 2025, in which he refers to the speech at the Order Convent in Bratislava.
Tradition meets national defence
On 23 May 2025, two traditional associations hosted a joint celebration, at which Defence Minister Mag. Klaudia Tanner was welcomed as a special guest.
Humanitarian aid to hospital in Sumy region
Order Knight Adam Bašný delivered another important medical equipment to the hospital in Okhtyrka in Sumy region in May 2025.
2nd oldtimer ride
On 18 May 2025, the 2nd oldtimer ride of the Order of St. George took place, with seven fearless oldtimer owners resisting the weather conditions.
Audience at Emperor Karl I.
On Saturday, 17 May 2025, a festive audience at Emperor Karl took place for the 23rd time in Brandýs nad Labem – Stará Boleslav.
2nd indulgence and cigar evening in Burgenland
On 9 May 2025, numerous Dames, Knights and guests of the Order of St. George gathered at the Martin Pasler winery for the 2nd cigar evening.
Order Convent 2025: Imperial weather in a different way
On 26 April 2025, around 300 members of the Order and guests gathered in Bratislava for the Grand Order Convent.
Impressions of the Order Convent in Bratislava
Find here impressions of the various programme points around the Order Convent on 26 April 2025.
Highest Lower Austrian state honors for the Chairman of our Committee of Honorary Knights
On April 23, 2025, former Governor Univ. Prof. Dr. Franz Schausberger received the “Golden Commander’s Cross with the Star of the Decoration of Honor for Services to the Federal State of Lower Austria”.
Reading recommendation: feature about Ferdinand von Habsburg
Procurator Baron Vinzenz von Stimpfl-Abele and Order Knight Stephan Baier had a talk with Archduke Ferdinand which was published as a feature in ‘Die Tagespost’ on 17 April 2025.
Presentation of the annual programme
The meeting of the Commandery Europaregion Tirol took place on 8 April 2025 and focused on the planned activities for this year.
Is there (still) a Western Christian civilization?
The Commandery Vorarlberg und Schweiz dealt with this question at its meeting on 3 April 2025 in Zurich.
Fully booked Order event in the Order Residence
On Wednesday evening, 2 April 2025, numerous Dames, Knights and invited guests gathered in the Order Residence for a special evening under the motto: ‘What do others not tell me?’
An evening dedicated to the great Otto von Habsburg
‘Completing Otto von Habsburg’s legacy: creating a European foreign policy and security strategy!’ was the title of an event hosted by the Commandery Wiesbaden/Nassau in Berlin on 27 March 2025.
Our country on the move
On Tuesday, 25 March 2025, Commander HR Dieter Tischler, together with his two Vice Commanders Mag. Thomas Grandits and Mst. Erich Kettner, invited to a lecture by our Honorary Knight, Club Chairman Ing. Norbert Hofer, to Bernstein in Burgenland.
Salon Salomon
On 15 March 2025, our Grand Master was a guest at the ‘Salon Salomon’, where he analysed current political issues and gave very personal insights into his life.
High appointment of our Honorary Dame
Our Honorary Dame Univ. Prof. Dr. Verica Trstenjak was appointed Vice-President of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts at the beginning of March 2025.
Reading recommendation on the transatlantic alliance
Our procurator Baron Vinzenz von Stimpfl-Abele has written an essay entitled ‘Ein Dolchstoß, der keine Legende ist’, which was published in the issue on 6 March 2025 of ‘Die Tagespost’
The fall of the Iron Curtain – 35 years of regained freedom
The main focus of the event on 27 February 2025 was on a keynote speech by our procurator and a guest lecture by Dr. phil. Beáta Katrebová Blehová on Slovakia and Austria during the Cold War.
Commandery Meeting in Neusiedl am See
A meeting of the Commandery Burgenland took place on 26 February 2025 in the Naglreiter restaurant.
What will ‘Artificial intelligence in the media sector’ bring?
On 25 February 2025, Commander Mag. Joachim Zimmel and Vice Commander Mag. Dipl.-Ing. Georg Donaubauer welcomed the Managing Director of Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs GmbH (RTR), Mag. Wolfgang Struber.
Commandery meeting in Linz
The joy of our Commander DI Dr. Wilhelm von Zitzewitz about the high interest in the evening event on 22 February 2025 was clearly noticeable.
The transatlantic relationship …
was examined at a discussion event entitled ‘EU versus USA – threats and opportunities under Donald Trump’ on 20 February 2025.
Pilgrims of Hope, Knights of Hope
On February 13th and 14th, the Order of St. George organised a pilgrimage to Rome, in the spirit of the Holy Year 2025.
The European Union: A Project of Hope or a Hopeless Case?
On 29 January 2025, the first Cross-Commandery event on the topic of ‘The European Union – A Project of Hope or a Hopeless Case?’ took place at the Order Residence.
Securing regional middle class in practice
On Wednesday 22 January 2025, the Commandery Wien-Schloss Belvedere hosted a high-calibre lecture followed by a discussion at the Order Residence in Vienna.
Start of the year for the Croatian Commanderies
On 20 January, the kick-off for the Order Year 2025 for all Croatian Dames and Knights took place in Zagreb.
New Year’s reception in Jois
As in the previous year, the Commandery Burgenland hosted a New Year’s reception at the Leo Hillinger winery on 17 January 2025.
Integrity. Direction. Hope.
This was the title of this year’s major speech on the future of Europe by our Grand Master Karl von Habsburg, which is traditionally broadcast on 11 January.