I met Katie Walker several years ago when she was communications director for American Life League. She moved on in 2011 to the same position at Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Arlington.

Meanwhile, Katie’s personal life took a storybook turn.

In October 2010 Katie attended a lecture at St. Mary Mother of God Church in Washington, D.C., about Blessed Karl of Austria, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary from 1916-18 (known as “Charles I“).

Blessed Karl was beatified in 2004 by Pope John Paul II for “putting his Catholic faith first in making political decisions,” and “being the only one among political leaders to support Benedict XV’s peace efforts” during World War I. Blessed Karl died in exile and poverty at the age of 34.

The lecture Katie attended was given by Blessed Karl’s grandson, His Imperial Royal Highness Archduke Imre of Austria. Katie is said to have a devotion for Blessed Karl’s wife, Queen Zita, an exemplary wife and mother, who is herself undergoing the beatification process.

And the rest, as they say, is history. The couple both 24 at the time, fell in love. And on September 8, 2012, they were married at the church where they met. LifeSiteNews.com has more on the wedding, as does The Washington Post. Here’s a nice photo montage by LSN…

http://www.flickr.com//photos/54145737@N04/sets/72157631582884767/show/

See more photos here.

Katie’s title is now Her Imperial and Royal Highness Archduchess Kathleen of Austria. Katie is beautiful inside and out and will be a treasure to her husband’s family.

As for any official royal role, Austria is now a republic, with a president and chancellor. Imre is the second child and oldest son of Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg and Archduke Carl-Christian of Austria, a member of the imperial family but far from succession to a throne with no reign.

But still!

The couple is honeymooning in India.

[Top photo via hola.com; bottom photo via tageblatt.lu]

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