The Archduke’s hat

the coronet invented by Rudolf IV.

The showpiece of the treasury at Klosterneuburg Monastery is the Austrian Archduke’s hat. The hat, which is actually a coronet, is donated by Archduke Maximilian III to mark the consecration of the monastery on November 15, 1616.

The Austrian Archduke’s hat is an example of regalia which harks back to the time of the Privilegium Maius and Rudolf IV of the Hapsburgs. The association with Saint Leopold is premeditated; it is presented to the monastery along with a document which specifies that the hat must be kept by Saint Leopold’s tomb. This underlines its significance as the absolute insignia of Austria.

The document goes on: with the threat of excommunication it states that the hat can only leave the premises for special occasions, such as the Ceremony of Homage by the Estates. And even then for a maximum of 30 days.