While Eugenie was crowned Empress in the beginning, France’s political structure went through 3 changes during her “reign”, eventually becoming a republic, with the title of “Emperess” replaced by “President’s Wife”.
(Photo: Empress Eugenie on coronation day 1852)
(Notice the dropped shoulders with fringe on her dress – a style she introduced & made popular. Check out the 1852-1867 pages on our website for fashion details from this time)
(Below: see how the later, “every woman’s” 1855 day dress copies the concepts of the coronation gown)
