 The Austrian imperial refugees eventually settled in Quebec , which had the advantage of being French @-@ speaking ( the younger children were not yet fluent in English ) . As they were cut off from all European funds , finances were more stretched than ever . At one stage , Zita was reduced to making salad and spinach dishes from dandelion leaves . However , all her sons were active in the war effort . Otto promoted the dynasty 's role in a post @-@ war Europe and met regularly with Franklin Roosevelt ; Robert was the Habsburg representative in London ; Carl Ludwig and Felix joined the United States Army , serving with several American @-@ raised relatives of the Mauerer line ; Rudolf smuggled himself into Austria in the final days of the war to help organise the resistance . In 1945 Empress Zita celebrated her birthday on the first day of peace , 9 May . She was to spend the next two years touring the United States and Canada to raise funds for war @-@ ravaged Austria and Hungary . 
