The French emperor had intended to create a Catholic kingdom as a counterbalance to the power of. 'She saw herself degraded to the role of a brood mare, expected to produce numerous healthy offspring, male for preference. In 1863, Napoleon III had encouraged the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian (1832-1867, of the House of Habsbourg-Lorraine, and younger brother of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I) to accept the crown of the Second Mexican Empire (1864-1867). The World of the Habsburgs writes that the first few years of Elisabeth's new life as an empress and a wife were 'a traumatic experience' which would ultimately lead her to distance herself from the Viennese court. The place for such a meeting the Emperor of Austria has left entirely with. Meanwhile, her aunt-turned-mother-in-law constantly tried to control both the marriage of Elisabeth and Franz Joseph and the goings-on of the Austrian court, to the point where many considered Sophie to be ' the secret empress.' A host of personal pictures and photographs bear witness to the style of interior favoured by the. The Emperor FRANZ JOSEPH has, in an autograph letter, expressed his sincere wish to meet the Prince Regent personally.

However, despite being an empress, she did not get her way.Įlisabeth felt homesick in Vienna, especially since her new husband was frequently occupied with being emperor. She also felt uncomfortable being dressed by ladies-in-waiting who were essentially strangers. The Imperial apartments also show the more personal side of the Habsburgs, including their bedrooms, salons, and even Sisi’s exercise room. In ' The Reluctant Empress,' Brigitte Hamann writes how Elisabeth ended up battling over basic traditions, such as giving away her shoes after wearing them just once. From Emperor Franz Joseph’s grand staircase, to his study, audience chamber, and conference room, visitors can see for themselves where Habsburg history happened.

Emperor franz joseph meeting