The Prince Imperial had ambitiously planned his coronation and the return of the House of Bonaparte with great precision. The coronation would strongly emulate the events of December 2nd, 1804, when his father became the Emperor of the French. Renowned architects by the name of Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine, who designed the decorations for his father’s coronation were back in business. Meanwhile, the famous Jean Baptiste Isabey, who designed the costumes of Napoleon and Josephine was back at work, designing for the Prince Imperial and Princess Sophie.
Imitating the coronation of 1804, the pomp of the coronation day began when processions from multiple cities near Paris, along with the Army, the Navy, the Assembiles and the Judiciary began converging on the Cathedral of Notre Dame ; which was under reconstruction due to damage it had received during the revolution. It had been wished that Pope Pius VIII would attend the coronation ; however the Pope was in poor health and died on December 1st, 1830.
The Republicans had wished to have the Prince Imperial crowned as soon as possible after entering France, preferably away from Notre Dame ; however the Prince Imperial’s will was equal to his father, and he won out. Napoleon II and his entourage slowed the pace on the way to Paris, to converse with the friendly population of central France.
The Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris, France, coronation of Napoleon I took place within these walls. On December 2nd, 1830, the coronation of Napoleon II was taking place within these walls. Like father, like son.
The carriages began arriving at Notre Dame, guarded by specially selected Army regiments that had served with distinction during Napoleon I’s reign, though most of the men in uniform had not served under his command. After the arrival of the government carriages, eight horses pulled the royal coach, which was ornamented with gold and emblazoned with a capital N. Accompanying the Prince Imperial, who was dressed in purple velvet embroidered with gems and gold, similar to his father, were members of the disbanded Old Guard which had served under Napoleon I. The beautiful Princess Sophie was dressed in majestic clothing similar to Josephine, the splendor of silk and sparkling gems made Sophie’s age seem more along the line’s of the Prince Imperial’s.
The Prince Imperial and Princess Sophie walked with splendor up the carpeted pathway to the main hall where the coronation was to take place.