Pressure or Motivation – On Aristocratic Descent in Modern Times

MCC Center in Székesfehérvár hosted some special guests, including the Vatican Ambassador Eduard Habsburg-Lothringen, author Zsolna Ugron, and Boris Kálnoky, Head of the MCC Media School, who joined Mihály Nánay, senior research fellow at the Rubicon Institute, for a conversation.

The evening's script took an interesting turn when the invited speakers brought György Károlyi into the discussion. The former ambassador of noble descent, who resides at the nearby Fehérvárcsurgó mansion, had registered as an attendee.

The descendants of famous aristocratic families shared entertaining and humorous anecdotes about their childhoods, careers, and personal lives, as well as how their heritage shaped their entire lives.

At the start of the discussion, each participant briefly introduced their family history. For example, it was revealed that the Transylvanian Ugron family was historically rebellious—often against the Habsburgs.

The childhoods of these descendants of once-noble families were far removed from aristocratic extravagance, yet their upbringing, family ties, and traditions often evoked the legacy of their ancestors. Eduard, who grew up in Austria, recalled how his family’s historical role frequently came up in history lessons, compelling him to learn more about his family and its past.

Regarding adult life and careers, Boris Kálnoky noted that the greatest burden of noble heritage is that if one makes a mistake, it reflects not just on the individual but on the entire family. Zsolna Ugron, from a lesser-known noble family, shared how her emblematic Székely first name has been a significant asset. The participants agreed that while heritage has both advantages and disadvantages, it undeniably provides a sense of grounding and brings expectations.

The evening also addressed how "blue blood" influenced their personal lives. Although love was the decisive factor in their relationships, upbringing and family models influenced their choices. Eduard Habsburg expressed his desire to downplay the importance of heritage but acknowledged that his wife is a baroness, and his daughter's husband is a count. He emphasized that shared faith and values are more important, though these are often easier to find among people of similar backgrounds. Zsolna added that shared social circles and environments also play a significant role.

With Mihály Nánay’s excellent moderation, the speakers agreed that while heritage matters less than individual character, Otto von Habsburg’s famous quote still holds: “Who does not know their past is not master of their future either, do not know where they came from, and cannot know where they are heading, for the simple reason that they do not know where they are.”

The audience questions that concluded the evening brought some special surprises. Former Székesfehérvár mayor István Balsay reminisced about visits by Otto von Habsburg and Georg von Habsburg two decades ago and highlighted the family’s many connections to the city.

Zsófia Demeter, retired director of the King St. Stephen Museum, pointed out that while the aristocracy lost the most in the storms of history, they were the ones who complained the least.

Finally, Deputy Mayor Zsolt Lehrner expressed gratitude for the cultural contributions of the aristocracy, emphasizing the ongoing support of the Károlyi Foundation.