Princess Sophie of Bavaria (Sophie Friederike Dorothea Wilhelmine; ; 27 January 1805 – 28 May 1872) was the daughter of King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria and his second wife, Caroline of Baden. The identical twin sister of Queen Maria Anna of Saxony, Sophie became Archduchess of Austria by marriage to Archduke Franz Karl of Austria. Her eldest son, Franz Joseph, reigned as Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary; her second son, Maximilian, briefly reigned as Emperor of Mexico.

Childhood (1805–1824)

The fourth child of King Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria and Princess Caroline of Baden, Princess Sophie Friederike Dorothea Wilhelmine was born on 27 January 1805 in Nymphenburg Palace, Munich. She was said to be her father’s favorite daughter, although she was more attached to her mother, whom she loved dearly. Sophie adored her twin sister Maria Anna and was very close to all her sisters.

Archduchess of Austria (1824–1872)

On 4 November 1824, she married Archduke Franz Karl of Austria. Her paternal half-sister, Caroline Augusta of Bavaria, had married the groom's widowed father, Francis II, in 1816. Sophie and Franz Karl had six children. Emperor Francis II was truly fond of Sophie. Although Sophie had little in common with her husband, she was a caring and devoted wife to Franz Karl who loved and respected her.

Unlike her husband, Sophie was attached to all of her children, especially Franz Joseph, as well as Ferdinand Maximilian, who was her favorite son. She had a reputation for being strong-willed and authoritarian by nature but she was also known as a familiar and sociable person devoted to her family and the Habsburg empire she married into.

Her ambition to place her eldest son on the Austrian throne was a constant theme in Austrian politics. At the time she was called "the only man at court". During the Revolution of 1848, she persuaded her somewhat feeble-minded husband to give up his rights to the throne in favour of their son Franz Joseph.

thumb|upright|right|Archduchess Sophie and her son, the future emperor Franz Joseph (by [[Joseph Karl Stieler)]]

After Franz Joseph's accession, Sophie became the power behind the throne. Historically, Sophie is remembered for her extremely adversarial relationship with Franz Joseph's wife Elisabeth, or "Sisi", who was also her niece. Elisabeth hated Sophie for being demanding and controlling the upbringing of her children, but there is no evidence that the Archduchess reciprocated that hatred, as Elisabeth is usually described quite pleasantly in Sophie's diary and letters.

Alleged extramarital affair

She was also noted for her close relationship with her nephew-by-marriage the Duke of Reichstadt, the former Napoleon II. There were rumors of a sexual affair between them.

Honours

  • : Dame of the Order of the Starry Cross

References

  • Historical Boys' Royal Costume: King Maximilian I Joseph: Second Family