Figure 1.-- Napoleon III helped set up an Austruan Archduke, Maximillian in power as Emperor of Mexico (1863). And Napoleon committed French troops to maintain Maximillan im power. So the Prince Imperial may have worn this outfit sometime beginning about 1863. The label seems to indicate that it was made in Mexico. Maximillian may have sent it to the Prince Imperial as aWe doubt if the Royal Family went to Mexico. The sutuation was too unstable there. There may, however, been occassions n Paris, perhaps for Maximillian's ambassador. The Prince Imperial could have wore the outfit with Maximillian's wife, Empress Carlota, paid a state visit to Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie at Les Tuileries to request additional financial and military aid.

The Prince Imperial, as a boy, often accompanied his parents on state visits. As a courtesy to the hosts, he was often dressed in outfits done in the national costume of the country being visited. Or these outfirs could be worn in state occassions in Paris when foreign dignitaries visited the French Royal Family. We are not sure what he thought about this or to what age this was done. These were different than the military uniforms he often wore for state occasions at home. Note that the British princes never wore ornate military uniforms as children. the Musee D'Orsay in Paris has a collection of some of these outfits, apprently left behind when the royal family fled France (1870). We note Mexican and Scottish outfits and presumably there were more. Of course, France has a long history of association with Scotland. The Prince actually wore a kilt outfit, but for visiting Scotland he had a Highland outfit. We do not know, however, of an actual visit. One of the more interesting items is a Mexican outfit. The Royl Family did not visit Mexico, the cionditions were too unsettled. Napoleon III helped set up an Austrian Archduke, Maximillian in power as Emperor of Mexico. And Napoleon committed French troops to maintain Maximillan im power. The Prince Imperial could have worn the outfit when Maximillian's wife, Empress Carlota, paid a state visit to Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie at Les Tuileries to request additional financial and military aid.

Scottish Highland Outfit

Of course, France has a long history of association with Scotland. The Prince actually wore a kilt outfit, but he also had a Highland outfit for special occasions. What we do not know is if the Royal Family actually visited Scotland. Wedo know that the Empress Eugenie visited Scotland on a private, not a state visit (1860). Napoleon III did not accompany her, but we do not know about the Prince Imperial who would have been about 4 years old. She did not meet with Queen Victoria there. She visited Blair Castle and Loch Lomond (November). She also visited England. She sailed up the loch and the press reported 'A cloudless sky, a snow-covered Ben, the full moon shed a flood of silvery light, and a scene of unsurpassed beauty.' The Empress was provided a guard of honor. An orchestr played a serenade. The Prince's Highlan outfit may have not been prepared to visit Scotland, but may have been seen as a British outfit and worn for a state visit to Queen Victoria in England. We know the Royal Family made a state visit to England (August 1857), but the Prince was only about 1 year old at the time. We do not know of a subsequent visit. The Prince of Wales visited France (1862). The British still viewed the French (especally a Bonaparte emperor with some suspcion.

Mexican Charro Outfit

One of the more interesting items is a Mexican Charro outfit made for the Prince Imperial. A Charro is a Mexican cowboy, especially from Jalisco. Napoleon III helped set up an Austruan Archduke, Maximillian in power as Emperor of Mexico (1863). And Napoleon committed French troops to maintain Maximillan im power. So the Prince Imperial may have worn this outfit sometime beginning about 1863. The label seems to indicate that it was made in Mexico. Maximillian may have sent it to the Prince Imperial as aWe doubt if the Royal Family went to Mexico. The sutuation was too unstable there. There may, however, been occassions n Paris, perhaps for Maximillian's ambassador. The Prince Imperial could have wore the outfit with Maximillian's wife, Empress Carlota, paid a state visit to Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie at Les Tuileries to request additional financial and military aid. Maximillian as the situation deterirted in Mexico, made sure she got out to safety. Her petitions were refused and Carlota in turn actually insulted the Emperor and his wife by referring to their humble origins. Maximillian's refime deteriorated after the American Civil War when the United States began pressuring France and the cost of intervention escalated.

Created: 8:49 AM 11/30/2011
Last updated: 2:19 AM 12/2/2011