AU COEUR DE L'HISTOIRE : Marie-Sophie en Bavière, la sœur oubliée de Sissi l'Impératrice

Listen to the story of Maria Sophie in Bavaria, the younger daughter of Sissi, Empress of Austria. Nicknamed the "soldier queen" by Marcel Proust, Maria Sophie has long been forgotten by historians, overshadowed by her sister. Yet her life is just as epic and romantic as that of the icon portrayed by Romy Schneider in Visconti's film. Elisabeth's marriage opened the door for the other daughters in the family to consider some very interesting matches. In 1859, Maria Sophie married the eldest son of King Ferdinand II, Francis, who prematurely took over the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies shortly thereafter. But Francis II, ill-prepared for such a role, became easy prey for those who supported the cause of Italian unification.