Above: Papal Nuncio Luigi Galimberti (1836-1896).

Source: Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek (Austrian National Library)

16. Mary's Burial

With regard to Rudolf's funeral, Papal Nuncio Galimberti remarked to the German ambassador that "this is probably the first time in history that the Papal Nuntius in Pontificalibus (i.e., in full ecclesiastical vestments) will attend the funeral of a murderer and suicide" (Judtmann 228).

Galimberti's acknowledgement that Rudolf was a murderer (that he had killed Mary) is remarkable. It shows that the Church authorities were aware of the circumstances of her death.

However, the nature of Mary's death and of her relationship with Rudolf seem to have been ignored by common consent. Indeed, strenuous efforts were made to conceal Mary's presence at Mayerling along with any evidence that she had ever been there.

Things began to move quickly even before the truth about Rudolf's and Mary's deaths became known. The immediate concern was what to do about Mary's body.

Franz Josef and his advisors lost no time in concocting a plan and putting it into effect. Count von Taaffe, who still believed Mary had poisoned Rudolf and then herself, briefed Baron von Krauss and gave him his marching orders.

"The main thing is now to get the other body out of Mayerling hunting-lodge to some other place without attracting attention," wrote Krauss. "I immediately gave orders for Chief Commissar Wyslouzil and ten agents to travel to Baden and get in touch there with District Governor Oser to make sure the Court authorities are given all necessary assistance in the removal of Vetsera's body" (Judtmann 136).

The ten police officers were to secure the hunting lodge from unauthorized visitors. District Governor Oser had to be involved because only he could authorize the transfer of a body from Mayerling to a district cemetery.