Manoeuvres

Austrian Officers and dignitaries watching the troops practice for what is to come.

On June 26, Franz was up and on the road before 6 a.m., while Sophie got ready for a busy day visiting schools, mosques, cathedrals (Catholic and Orthodox), carpet factories and schools. It was important that nobody felt left out in this diverse corner of the empire. Despite the crowds, she enjoyed herself and "took the keenest interest in everything she saw."
Franz had a less enjoyable time, standing on hilltops watching red and blue armies manoeuvre about in the rain, sleet and bitterly cold wind. The exciting moment of the day was when a civilian burst out of the bushes beside Franz. Seeing that he was carrying a mysterious device that could be a weapon, officers leaped forward and grabbed the man. "…that's the court photographer," Franz said with a chuckle. "Let him go. He's only doing his job and we all have to live."