9 archdukes and 1 woman

The act of hereditary homage of the Lower Austrian estates

From the time of its donation in 1616 the Austrian archducal hat was officially used as a crown a total of 10 times. In accordance with the requirements of the donation the crown was only permitted to be loaned out and brought to Vienna for the festivities surrounding the act of hereditary homage of the Lower Austrian estates.

This was a state act corresponding to a coronation in a monarchy. 9 archdukes took up office in the heart of the Hapsburg Empire in the presence of the Austrian archducal hat, from Emperor Ferdinand II through to Ferdinand I of Austria in 1835.

Only 1 woman was among the string of Austrian rulers: Maria Theresa. The act of hereditary homage to her was held in November 1740, only a few weeks after the sudden death of her father Emperor Charles VI. The hastily-planned ceremony demonstrated her aspiration to follow as Regent in the Hapsburg territories.

The legal prerequisites for the female heir were provided by the Pragmatic Sanction issued in 1713. Ultimately Maria Theresa had to prevail against resistance by the European powers in the War of the Austrian Succession. In 1745 she succeeded in having her spouse Francis crowned Holy Roman Emperor.