Stock Photo - Count Albert Mensdorff-Pouilly-Diechstrichstein (1861-1945), Austrian Ambassador in London at the time of the outbreak of the First World War. He was an able diplomat and popular within London aristocratic circles and was friendly with both King Edward VII and King George V. He was not kept fully informed of Austrian plans during the July crisis of 1914 and eventually had to leave London after the declaration of war on 12 August 1914. The Tatler mentions that he 'is a great sportsman and a prominent member of the Jockey Club.' It also writes presciently, that his departure from London would mean 'the most terrible war the world has known.'