Karel Eduard Paar (born 4 January 1934 in Prague, died 25 September 2026 in Prague) was a Czech nobleman and professed knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (Order of Malta). From 2004 to 2011 he headed the order's Grand Priory of Bohemia as Grand Prior.[1]*

Origins and youth

He was born in Prague as the younger son of Prince Alfons Paar and his wife Sophie, née Countess Schlitz von Görtz.[1] The Paar family was linked with Bechyně in the Tábor area, where it had owned the estate since 1760.[2] Karel Paar grew up at Bechyně castle with his siblings Alfons and Eleonora and went to school there.[1] After the Second World War the family moved to Switzerland and after February 1948 could not return to Czechoslovakia. The Bechyně estate was taken from the family in 1948.[1][2]

Life abroad

He completed his studies in Switzerland and moved to Austria in 1954.[1] He worked there in the steel industry and later for a company making agricultural tools.[2] He first returned to Czechoslovakia with his siblings in 1990, after more than forty years.[2] After 1989 Bechyně castle was returned in restitution to his elder brother Alfons, who died in 2016.[2]

In the Order of Malta

He was brought to the Knights of Malta by his father, who was also a member of the order.[1] From 1962 to 1978 he served in the Maltese hospitaller service. He completed his novitiate in 1978 by taking temporary religious vows and took perpetual vows four years later.[1] From 1989 he held several posts in the order's leadership in Rome.[1] He was Grand Prior of the Grand Priory of Bohemia from 2004 to 2011, when he was again living in Vienna.[2]

Death

He died on 25 September 2026 at the age of 92 in the Hospital of the Sisters of Mercy of St Charles Borromeo in Prague.[1]

Chronology

  • — Karel Paar, emeritus Grand Prior of the Knights of Malta, died aged 92. Blesk.cz Seznam Zprávy

Pages linking here

Sources

  1. Seznam Zprávy (ČTK) — 25 September 2026
  2. Blesk.cz — 25 September 2026