PRINCE NAPOLEON'S BEHAVIOR.; HIS OWN EXPLANATION OF HIS POSITION AND CONDUCT.

Doe's amyone know what the relationship was like between the Prince & his Mother. I came across this when browsing. I think this took place just after his Fathers death.

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Hi Littlehand
Lets not get confused, this article is not based on the Prince Imperial Eugene Louis Jean Joseph.
I dont know the subject well enough to comment on the relationship. I am however fairly certain its not our man.

Regards

Hi Littlehand

I think you are right, the article does appear to relate to the funeral of Napoleon III - father of "our" Napoleon - Eugene Louis Jean Joseph - The Prince Imperial.

However, I also agree with Springbok9 and suspect the article's reference to the conduct of "Prince Napoleon" is not in relation to "our" Prince Imperial but rather to his cousin, Napoleon Josef Charles Paul - known as "Prince Napoleon" - or "Plon Plon" to his mates. The fact is, Plon Plon was disinherited when "our" Prince was born but he had another (unsuccessful) go to grab it all back when Napoleon III died; hence his behaviour as reported in the article perhaps? What does puzzle me though is the article's subsequent reference to "Prince Jerome". Plon Plon's son was Napoleon Victor Jerome Frederic but he was only 11 at the time of the funeral (1873) and in any case, was known as Prince Victor as far as I am aware.

Anyway, as for "our" Prince Imperial's relationship with his Mother, the Empress Eugenie, it has been a few years since reading Knight's "With His Face to the Foe"* but, skimming through it now to refresh my memory, it does seem fair to say that the Empress was a devoted Mother if somewhat over protective; perhaps understandable considering her charge of the heir apparent. The Prince himself was rather withdrawn and tied to his Mother's apron strings - and purse strings - for he had no independent means (Eugenie inherited the lot when his father died - much to Plon Plon's chagrin). It seems the Prince Imperial only truly sparked into life when the chance came to go to the Military Academy at Woolwich and, of course, subsequently champed at the bit to go to war in Zululand. The Empress eventually, and reluctantly, consented and we all know the consequences.

Hope this is helpful.

U

* Can thoroughly recommend to anyone who wants the full SP on the Prince.

Thanks for that ""Prince Napoleon" - or "Plon Plon" I did find it after. Well that puts that one to bed.