Eugénie's Legacy

Posts in this section include:

Amelia Dobbie, Eugénie's death and media portrayal
Imogen Jackson, Eugénie's funeral in Farnborough
Oriana Seiffert, Eugénie's legacy in Farnborough
Victor Wood, A creative piece about Eugénie's legacy in Farnborough

Eugénie's death and media portrayal

by Amelia Dobbie

Whilst there is no clear depiction of Eugénie herself, the amount of people gathered to assist her body in its final moments in Spain indicates the impact she had on those around her. Her body is carried in a traditional Spanish funeral procession as a sign of respect and honour; the only people in this portrait are men, which highlights the cultural traditions and customs observed during a traditional Spanish funeral procession. The men appear solemn and respectful, reflecting the somber tone of the occasion.

This funeral contrasts with how her body was transported upon its arrival in Farnborough on 20th July, where the body was mounted on a gun carriage with the Union Flag draped over it. Therefore, it can be implied that the funeral in Farnborough was a much more grandiose and public affair, as her body was met at the station by troops and cavalry in order to control the crowds that had come to pay their respects. Whereas the portrait of the funeral in Madrid includes only one horse, which is located towards the top of the portrait, highlighting the differences of cultural customs and traditions surrounding funerals between England (Farnborough) and Spain (Madrid).

Eugénie's Funeral in Farnborough

by Imogen Jackson

Empress Eugénie died in Madrid on 11 July 1920. In the days following her passing, her body travelled through Paris and arrived in Farnborough where her funeral was held and where she was subsequently buried next to her husband, Napoleon III, and her son, Louis Napoleon, Prince Imperial. The Illustrated London News published an article on July 24th, titled ‘The Empress Eugénie's Last Homecoming: Royal Honours’ which reported on the funeral: ‘(The body) was laid to rest…in the mausoleum built by the late Empress, beside the tombs of her husband, Napoleon III, and the Prince Imperial.’(1)

Funérailles de l'impératrice Eugénie, le cortège à Farnborough [le prince Victor Napoléon et sa femme suivent le cercueil, 20/7/20] . Bibliothèque nationale de France

The above photograph titled ‘Funeral of Empress Eugénie, the procession at Farnborough’ depicts the former Empress’s coffin being transported on a carriage from Farnborough Station to St Michael’s Mausoleum. Her coffin has the Union Jack draped over it, which may be symbolic of the importance of her years spent in England, from her exile in 1870 until her death. Directly behind the carriage follow Princess Clementine and Prince Victor Napoleon. This shows their important relationship with Eugénie, as Prince Victor inherited the role of the head of the Bonaparte family following the Prince Imperial’s death in South Africa in 1879. This photo as well as the photo titled ‘At Farnborough, funeral of Empress Eugénie’ capture the large crowd of people that gathered to commemorate Eugénie's life. Thousands of people attended the streets of Farnborough, which shows how respected she was.

The photograph ‘Funeral of the Princess Eugénie, St Michael’s Abbey, Farnborough’ depicts King George V and Queen Mary of England, Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain, Prince Victor Napoleon and Princess Clementine. The photograph is from an album of photographs arranged by Queen Mary. This photograph represents the positive international relations between their countries, as well as their collective mourning of the former Empress Eugénie. The candid nature of the photo also proves that their mourning of the Empress’s death, as well as the interactions between the royals are genuine.

(1) The Illustrated London News, ‘The Empress Eugenie’s Last Homecoming: Royal Honours’ (24 July 1920)

Eugénie's legacy in Farnborough

by Oriana Seiffert

At the entrance of St Michael’s, there is a crest with Golden bees and shells representing Mont Saint-Michel.

The bees represent Napoleon and his family as he chose bees as his symbolic animal. The golden bees link to the golden cicadas or bees found at Childeric I’s tomb and on his cloak (1). Childeric I was one of the founders of the Merovingian dynasty. The Merovingian realm was the largest and most powerful of the states of western Europe following the breakup of the empire of Theodoric the Great. They led the Franks to expand Francia beyond western Germany and modern-day Belgium, to encompass a vast area that included nearly all of modern-day Metropolitan France. This means the bee represents France’s triumphant history and past greatness. It can symbolize the ‘eternal greatness’ and resurrection of power in himself and France. The shells represent Mont Saint-Michel which during 1804–1815, Napoleon I made a state prison. It also represents a great victory and military strength for the French as in 1423 there was a siege by the English which 11 years later they won. Eugénie could have put this up to represent her husband’s family and France which she moved to when she was 9.

Public domain, WikiCommons.

Below Farnborough Abbey, there is Eugénie’s tomb front and centre as you enter. This is due to the fact that she built this abbey and she also did a lot for the British war effort. She turned part of her house into a hospital for injured soldiers during the war. Her relationship to Queen Victoria could also demonstrate why she is in the middle rather than off to the side like her husband and son.

Contrasting this view, is an envelope which has a Napoleon ink stamp. It also has the words ‘Napoleon III buried at Farnborough Abbey’ but no mention of Eugénie. This highlights the Patriarchal society that has overshadowed Eugénie’s legacy. Napoleon spent less than 3 years in England while Eugénie spent 40 years in England and helped during WW1. Napoleon is shown in the way English monarchs are in stamps. This shows a great deal of respect for the previous French Emperor as he has been depicted as a strong and confident leader.

Farnborough Library Local Studies Collection

(1) Napoleon.org 'The symbols of Empire' (2004). Available online here.

Portrait of Eugénie

by Victor Wood

This portrait was inspired by primary sources as seen in Geraghty, Anthony, The Empress Eugénie in England: Art, Architecture, Collecting (2022)

Long section of the main apsidal chapel at La Ferte-Bernard (1858). This source inspired the designs for St Michael's Abbey.
Franz Xavier Winterhalter, The Empress Eugenie in Profile (1861).

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