The cause of death for a European royal who died suddenly, leaving behind her husband and five children has been revealed.

Archduchess Estella of Austria , the European revealed in a heartbreaking statement earlier today, plunging European aristocrats into mourning. Her unexpected death leaves her husband, Archduke Carl Christian, caring for their children Zita, 17, Anezka, 15, Anna, 12, Paola, 10 and Pier-Giorgia, four. She was 46 years old. The royals, who live in , , announced the death in the Carnet du Figaro bulletin.

A statement said she was "called to God" nearly three weeks ago. The statement read: "Her husband, Archduke Carl Christian, their children, her parents, and her in-laws are deeply saddened to announce that Archduchess Estelle of Austria, née Lapra de Saint Romain, was called to God on Tuesday, March 4, 2025."

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Local media has now reported her cause of death, revealing the mum-of-four died of cancer. The report added that she was laid to rest surrounded by friends and family at Cimiez Monastery in Nice last week.

The report did not clarify any additional details, such as the kind of cancer from which the Archduchess was suffering. Among mourners present at the Archduchess' funeral was Princess Astrid of Belgium, as was Prince Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Ferdinand of Habsburg, Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg, and the Duke of Castro.

Her coffin was decorated with white flowers, and five candles lit by each of her children were also placed on the lid. The priest conducting the ceremony praised her "loving lucidity", the Daily Mail reports, before Ava Maria was played.

Archduchess Estelle was born Estelle Lapra de Saint-Romain in Orsay on January 19, 1979. The royal was the daughter of Pierre Lapra de Saint Romain and Nora Boucharlat de Chazotte.

She and Archduke Carl-Christian, known by his full name Carl-Christian Marie Guy Eugene Marcus d'Aviano of Austria, were married on April 18, 2007 in Montigirod, France. Archduke Carl Cristian is the son of Archduke Rudolf Maria Carl Eugen Anna Antonius Marcus d'Aviano of Austria and Baroness Helene de Villenfagne de Vogelsanck.

The Archduke, who is 47, is the great-grandson of Emperor Charles I of Austria, King of Hungary and former ruler of the Habsburg dynasty states. Although the monarchy was abolished in 1918, the family has remained part of the European aristocracy.

Carl Christian's cousin, Archduke Karl von Hasburg is the current head of the family. The Archduchess' death comes the same month as that of another member of European royalty. Prince Frederik, the youngest son of Prince Robert of Luxembourg and Princess Julie of Nassau died aged 2022. Frederik died just days before the Archduchess on March 1.

He was born with POLG Mitochondrial disease, a condition of which the family was initially unaware. He was diagnosed aged 14, "when his symptoms were showing more clearly and when the progression of his disease had become more acute."

The disorder affects the energy producting parts of the cells in people's bodies and can cause progressive muscle weakness, as well as conditions such as epilepsy and liver failure. The young royal died aged 22 in Paris, according to the family.

, said: "Frederik knows he is my superhero, as he is to all of our family, and to so very many good friends and to so very many people the over. Part of his superpower was his ability to inspire and to lead by example. Frederik was born with a special capacity for positivity, joy, and determination. When he was little, I would always say that if there is one child of ours that I would never need to worry about, it was him.

"Over the years on a number of occasions, Frederik voiced his gratitude for having his disease. He cited the intensity of his experiences and his relationships as the reason for this. He felt there were so many amazing people that he would never have known had it not been for his disease. We wish to extend our deep gratitude for all the messages of support and love received by our family in this very difficult moment. With our superhero's help we hope to turn our deep grief into positive results and therewith follow his unwavering example. His ultimate message is one of hope, compassion, and resilience. We are all so very proud of you, Frederik. I am so very proud of you. We love you."