Napoléon II

(1811-1832)

   king of Rome, son of Napoléon I

   Born in Paris, the son of napoléon i and marie louise of habsburg-lorraine, the young Napoléon had been, since his birth, king of Rome. After the first abdication of Napoléon I (April 4, 1814), the empress Marie Louise took their son to the imperial court in vienna. Napoléon abdicated a second time, but in favor of his son (June 22, 1815). The young heir was recognized as Napoléon II by the Napoleonic government that had been set up during the hundred days but was not acknowledged by the Allies. Later, he was recognized as a Habs-burg noble by his maternal grandfather, Emperor Francis II of Austria, and given the title duke of Reichstadt. Napoléon II was acclaimed in Paris in 1830, and the Austrian chancellor, Prince Klemens von Metternich, used this fact against the regime of King louis-philippe. After 1830, Napoléon II became the friend of Marshal auguste marmont, who told him of his father's glories and achievements. Napoléon II died at age 21 of tuberculosis, and his remains were returned to France in 1940 by Adolf Hitler and interred in the invalides beside those of his father. Napoléon ii's life was the inspiration for L'Aiglon, a play by edmond rostand.