Chapter Four On Accession to the Throne and Oath of Allegiance

53. Upon the demise of an Emperor, His Heir accedes to the Throne by virtue of the law of succession itself, which confers this right upon Him. The accession of the Emperor to the Throne is reckoned from the day of the demise of His Predecessor.
54. In the Decree on the accession to the Throne, the Rightful Heir to the Throne is also announced, if the person to whom lawful succession belongs, exists.
55. Allegiance to the newly acceded Emperor and to His Rightful Heir, even if the Heir is not named in the Decree, is confirmed by a nationwide oath.
56. Everyone pledges an oath according to his faith and law.

Explanatory Note 1

Upon printing the oath of allegiance according to established form (appendix V), the Governing Senate sends it out in the required number of copies to everyone in general, both to military and to civil authorities, and also informs the Most Holy Synod for disposition on its part. Every person pledges the oath before his superior in cathedrals, monasteries or parish churches, wherever it is convenient; those held in custody, but not yet convicted and deprived of rights, pledge the oath before the authorities of their place of confinement. Persons of a different faith, when there is no church of their confession, pledge the oath of allegiance at a place of assembly before the members thereof. Everyone who has taken the oath of allegiance, if he is able to write, signs the document by which he has pledged. Subsequently, all authorities and departments deliver these documents to the Governing Senate.

Explanatory Note 2

In general, all male subjects of every rank and calling, having reached twenty years of age, must pledge the oath of allegiance.