As far as I know, the process for beatification and canonization was simplified around the time the Code of Canon Law was revised (early 1980's). I think it was three miracles that used to be necessary for canonization, but "they" reduced that. The devil's advocate was eliminated, too.
The standards for becoming a saint have been lowered which has been partly responsible for the significant increase in beatifications and canonizations recently. It seems to me that whenever a famous Catholic dies, that someone begins a cause for their sainthood.
This is really too bad, because then when a truly deserving candidate like Emperor Karl comes along, it doesn't seem to mean quite as much.