11 November, 1918

The Schönbrunn Palace was empty. The Emperor and his family had decamped to Castle Eckartsau, but not after he has signed the proclamation and released his officials from their oaths of loyalty. This was not done willingly, nor out of a desire to see his empire turned into a series of republics. Yet, Charles had felt he had little other choice if he wished to protect himself and his family.

The following was distributed across German-Austria:

Since I came to the throne I have ceaselessly strived to lead my people out of the horrors of war, for whose outbreak I bear no blame.

I have not hesitated to rebuild the constitutional life and have opened the way for the people to develop their own national identity.

Now as before filled with unwavering love for all my people, I do not wish to be a barrier to the freedom of their development.

I acknowledge in advance the decision that Germany-Austria is making about its future system of government.

The people have through their representatives taken over the government. I hereby renounce any part in state affairs.

At the same time I relieve my Austrian government of its office.

May the people of Germany-Austria create and consolidate the reorganisation in the spirit of harmony and forgiveness. The happiness of my people was my most cherished goal from the beginning.

Only inner peace can heal the wounds of this war.

Karl

13 November, 1918

At Castle Eckartsau, the Emperor received a delegation of Hungarian nobles including Gyula Wlassich, Chief Chancellor Miklós Móric Esterházy, Judge Aurél Dessewffy and Crown Guard Emil Széchenyi. The plead with Karl to resign, and after a long and emotional struggle he signs the following:

Since my accession to the throne, I have always sought to rid my peoples of the horrors of war as soon as possible; in which war I had no part.

I do not want my person to be an obstacle to the free development of the Hungarian nation, for which I am imbued with unchanging love.

Therefore, I withdraw from all participation in the conduct of state affairs and I already acknowledge the decision by which to establish the future state form of Hungary.

Done at Eckartsau on the thirteenth day of November in the year one thousand nine hundred and eighteen.

Károly

With that the empire of the Habsburgs, built over a millennia, came to an end. Or did it? The astute and the cynical in German-Austria and Hungary would note in the coming days that the word "abdicate" did not appear in either document. Suspicions about whether these vague statements would come to provide the basis of a restoration for Karl remained in both nations.