Eugenie of France’s end meant the beginning of a new type of royalty…

Eugenie lived past her husband and one son, long enough to see the collapse of the European empires.  She was exiled, but allowed to return to visit Queen Victoria.

The influence of the two monarchs was profound on world fashion, as they crossed over 70 years of change in the independence of women and from crinolines, to bustles, to bras.

(Photo:  A sedate Eugenie in wool, date unknown)