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Eugenie was important both in the fashion world and in the political scheme. When she displayed the first
cage crinolines in 1855, European fashion followed her lead, and she again affected the design world when she later
abandoned vast skirts in favor of a more fitting silhouette. She also acted as Regent during her husband's several
absences, and he consulted her on important issues of the State. As a conservative Catholic, she balanced Napoleon's
liberal tendencies, and she was a staunch supporter of papal powers. Eugenie was not without her faults, however; for one, she is largely blamed for being a conspirator in the
Franco Mexican War, in which the French attempted to establish a Mexican Empire and reap the financial rewards.
The operation was largely unsuccessful, and in 1866 Napoleon was forced to redraw his troops. After the deaths of her husband and son, both closely
following the French defeat in the Franco Prussian War, her health began to deteriorate, and she retired to her villa at Cape Martin,
far from all interference in French politics. She died at the age of 94 during a visit to her relatives, the Dukes of Alba
in Madrid.
Born in Granada, Spain | |
Married Napoleon III and became Empress of France | |
Gave birth to only son, Napoléon Eugène Louis Jean Joseph Bonaparte | |
Introduced cage crinolines to be worn under skirts | |
Acted as Regent during her husband's military ventures | |
Start of Franco-Mexican War | |
Napoleon III died | |
Death of her son | |
Passed away while visting the Duke of Alba |
Book Links |
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Image Links | ||
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![]() Eugenie, Empress of the French. in Eugenie, Empress of the French |
![]() Empress Eugenie in Eugenie, Empress of the French |
![]() The Empress-Widow in Eugenie, Empress of the French |
Nephew of Napoleon, elected emperor of France after revolution of 1848. Deposed after disastrous Franco-Prussian War. | |
Archduke who was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico. Overthrown and executed by Liberal republicans. | |
Prussian statesman and mastermind of German Unification. Strategically provoked wars against Austria and France. |