Napoleon's wish to marry Grand Duchess Anna …

Years: 1810 - 1810
March
Napoleon's wish to marry Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna of Russia, the youngest daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia, had caused alarm in Austria, who were afraid of being sandwiched between two great powers allied with each other.

At the persuasion of Count Metternich, a marriage between Napoleon and Marie Louise, the daughter of Emperor Francis I!, had been suggested by Francis himself to the Count of Narbonne but no official overture had been made by the Austrians.

Though officials in Paris and Austria were beginning to accept the possibility of the union, Marie Louise had been kept uninformed of developments.

Frustrated by the Russians delaying the marriage negotiations, Napoleon had rescinded his proposal in late January 1810 and began negotiations to marry Marie Louise with the Austrian ambassador,  Prince Felix of Schwarzenberg.

Schwarzenberg had signed the marriage contract on February 7.

Marie Louise had been informed of the pending marriage by Metternich.

When asked for consent, she had replied: "I wish only what my duty commands me to wish."

Marie Louise is married by proxy to Napoleon on March 11, 1810 at the Augustinian Church, Vienna.

Napoleon is represented by Archduke Charles, the bride's uncle.

Related Events

Filter results