EMPRESS EUGÉNIE and QUEEN VICTORIA

Cordial and special relationships between Queen Victoria and other
monarchs was not unusual. Modern day royalty interact with each other, especially when royal events take place such as weddings and coronations.

The cordial relationship both royals experienced was indeed rather special for a number of reasons. First some background to the significant level of friendship with Queen Victoria, least of all the exile in England of Eugénie's son.

Born May 5th 1862 Empress Eugénie passed away on July 11th 1920. She outlived both her husband Louis-Napoléon III, Emperor of France and her son Prince Imperial Louis-Napoléon who lived in exile in England after France was overthrown in 1870. Eugénie became de facto Head of State.

Empress Eugénie was born to prominent Spanish nobility and educated in France, Spain and England.

Following the fall of the empire, she spent the rest of her working life commemorating memories including those of the Second French Empire.

The English connection is rather special. Apart from her son living in exile in England, she attended a girls' boarding school in Clifton, Bristol. She was a strong advocate of equality.

She enjoyed horse riding (a popular sport with British royalty) and other activities.

Her presence of her imperial but engaging manner made her popular with other European royalty including Spain; the country of her birth.

Interested in politics, she devoted much time to the Bonapartist cause.

Empress Eugénie ceremonially attended the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.

A rather special award was Asteroid '45 Eugénie' was named after her.

At a grand old age of 94, she passed away and extraordinarily, her burial took place at St. Michael's Abbey, Farnborough (UK). King George V attended her requiem.

Acknowledgment: The 1906 Punch Magazine photo of Empress Eugénie and Queen Victoria reveals the close links the two monarchs. 
Their synergy evident in their facing each other.

Picture acknowledging The 1906 Punch Magazine.

About the Author

Simon Lever is a Featured Contributor at Bizcatalyst 360°, an author, creative writer, and storyteller. His voluntary activities include being a steward for the award-winning 'Kings and Scribes Exhibition: Birth of a Nation' and serving as a trustee at a community centre. Image courtesy of Simon Lever. Image courtesy of Punch Magazine 1906.