Figure 1.--This is Francois Charles, Duc de Reichstadt. The French called him " l'Aiglon " meaning the Eagle--his father's symbol. The artist was Moritz Daffinger. I'm not sure when it was painted, but probably about 1828.

Francois Charles was reportedly very intelligent, cultivated, and always well-dressed. He was also very handsome. The women in Vienna apparently adored this young man. A reader describes a portrait of Francois Charles as a youth. He writes, "An 1831 portrait depicts the same eyes and brown wavy hair though of course a bit shorter as he was older. He is wearing an Austrian military tunic, pink, no epaulets, but with the badges of a couple of orders on it and a high black collar. Believe he also had his father's sword." The portrait was done by a Rodolf Hille in Vienna. [Weil] His grandfather, the Austian Emperor had a great affection toward him, but also feared him as a political threat. After his step-father, Neipperg, died, Francois Charles learned that his mother had two illegitimate children before she actually married Neipperg. Francois Charles told his friend, Prokesch von Osten, "If Josephine had been my mother, my father would not have been buried at Saint Helena, and I should not be at Vienna. My mother is kind but weak; she was not the wife my father deserved". [Markham, p. 249.] Francois Charles developed a friendship with Princess Sophie of Bavaria. Some have suggested that he was the actual father of Maximilian, the prince that Napoleon III tried to install in Mexico. [Smith]

Descriptions

Francois Charles was reportedly very intelligent, cultivated, and always well-dressed--often in military uniforms. A reader describes a portrait of Francois Charles as a youth. He writes, "An 1831 portrait depicts the same eyes and brown wavy hair though of course a bit shorter as he was older. He is wearing an Austrian military tunic, pink, no epaulets, but with the badges of a couple of orders on it and a high black collar. Believe he also had his father's sword." The portrait was done by a Rodolf Hille in Vienna. [Weil]

Women

He was also very handsome. The women in Vienna apparently adored this young man.

The Austrian Emperor

His grandfather, the Austian Emperor had a great affection toward him, but also feared him as a political threat.

Attitude Toward His Mother

After his step-father, Neipperg, died, Francois Charles learned that his mother had two illegitimate children before she actually married Neipperg. Francois Charles told his friend, Prokesch von Osten, "If Josephine had been my mother, my father would not have been buried at Saint Helena, and I should not be at Vienna. My mother is kind but weak; she was not the wife my father deserved". [Markham, p. 249.]

Pincess Sophie

Francois Charles developed a friendship with Princess Sophie of Bavaria. Some have suggested that he was the actual father of Maximilian, the prince that Napoleon III tried to install in Mexico. [Smith] At the time of course, DNA paernity tess did not exist. It is possible that Francois Charles was Maximillian's father. There is no way to be sure. That was a very wide-spread rumor. Everyone at the Schönbrunn court could seen the great affection they shared. Sophie was preggnant ( expecting Maximilien ) when she constently was near the sick bed of Francois Charles. She surely was sadened. She was also known to be unhappy with her marriage to Arch Duke Franz Karl. She was a beautifull and extremely intelligent woman. He seems to have been opposite. Nor was he by some accounts a specialy a good lover. There is, however, no real proff in their private lives to confirm the rumors about an affair with Francois Charles. It is known that Sophie was very Francophile. Observers argue as to who Maximillian most resembles, so this is an issue that will never be resolved wth any certainty. Maximillian was born the same month that Francois Charles died (July 1932).

Sources

The King of Rome.

Markham, Felix. Napoleon.

Smith, Gene. Maximilian and Carlota.

Weil, Richard. Email, February 11, 2003.

Created: 8:58 PM 12/5/2007
Last updated: 8:58 PM 12/5/2007