Otto von Habsburg

Europe mourns the death of Otto von Habsburg, aged 98. Otto became the heir to Austria-Hungary in 1916, but never became King Emperor. Austria went through dramatic upheavals during and after both World Wars, and became a Republic in 1945.

Otto played a valiant part in WWII and was sentenced to death by the Nazi regime. He was later a Euro MP for 20 years. Franco offered him the crown of Spain but he declined and suggested Juan Carlos.

Habsburg was mainly known to most people for a false quotation: that he was asked during a World Cup if he was going to the Austria-Hungary match and he replied 'Sure, who are we playing?'. Not true, alas.

Someone should write a book of false quotes, including 'Elementary, my dear Watson', 'Play it again, Sam', 'Rivers of Blood' and almost everything attributed to Churchill.