The Coronation in Hungary
Again the Archduchess Sophie’s schemes for the house of Hapsburg proved
disastrous, and Franz Joseph’s eyes were opened at last to the fact that
her sway had been as unfortunate for the country as it was fatal to his
domestic happiness. In these bitter days of defeat and humiliation he
learned to value the Empress at her true worth. She now became his real
companion. In the latter years of her life he often consulted her in
regard to affairs of state, and she might have exercised a much greater
power in politics had she so desired. But the only matter of government
in which she ever cared to have a voice was in regard to Hungary, in
whose welfare she always felt the deepest interest. After the Austrian
losses in 1866 she once said to Count Julius Andrassy:
“It distresses me to have things go wrong in Italy, but if anything were
to happen to Hungary it would kill me!”
One Summer while visiting some baths, she climbed a near-by mountain on
the summit of which a small chalet had been built. As they entered, her
companion, seeing a visitor’s book on the table, wrote in it “Elizabeth,
Empress of Austria.” Thereupon her mistress drew off her gloves and,
taking the pen, added in Hungarian, “Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary.”
This mutual attachment proved a valuable safeguard during the war of
1866, when the Prussians threatened to advance on Vienna. It was thought
safest for Elizabeth and the little Crown Prince to retire to Budapest,
where she was received with an enthusiasm little short of Maria
Theresa’s memorable reception. There is no doubt that the devotion of
the people to the Queen was largely instrumental in bringing about a
better feeling between Austria and Hungary, while still another proof of
this devotion was their special request that she might be crowned
together with the King, an event that had never before occurred in the
history of the country.
It was not until the eighth of June, 1867, however, that the coronation
took place. The ancient city of Pressburg had been the scene of all
former coronations, but on this occasion the ceremonies were to be held
for the first time in Ofen and Pesth, or Budapest, as it is now called,
which had been made the capital in 1848. The city is one of the most
beautifully situated in all Europe. On an almost perpendicular rock
stands the royal castle, an imposing structure of great antiquity, and
at its foot, surrounding it on three sides, lies Ofen. The flat and more
modern town of Pesth is to the left, and beyond it extend boundless
plains.
Both cities were in gala attire to welcome the sovereigns. In every
direction as far as the eye could reach was a sea of waving flags and
pennants, and on the spire of the Rathshaus gleamed a huge crown of St.
Stephen. The evening before the ceremony was to take place Franz Joseph
and his wife made a visit to the cathedral, which had been magnificently
decorated for the occasion, and were greeted everywhere with the wildest
enthusiasm. As they were about to leave the church an old man fell from
a ladder on which he had perched himself in order to obtain a view of
“the good Queen of Hungary.” Elizabeth, who saw him fall, hastened at
once to his assistance,—an act that called forth renewed cheers when it
reached the ears of those outside.
The town was crowded with Magyars from all parts of the kingdom, and
sixty thousand troops lined the streets from the railway station to the
royal castle, a distance of six kilometres. It was a most brilliant
sight as the procession wound slowly down from the castle and crossed
the bridge. Franz Joseph made a stately and imposing figure in his crown
and coronation robes, but Elizabeth was the centre of all eyes. The
sides of the coach were of glass so that she could be seen from all
directions. It was surmounted by a large crown and drawn by six
magnificent white horses, their long manes and tails interwoven with
gold. Elizabeth at this time was in the prime of her majestic
loveliness, having not yet reached her thirtieth year, and was
considered the most beautiful princess in the whole civilized world.
Deafening “Eljens” greeted her all the way to the cathedral, cannon
thundered, and white-clad maidens showered roses in her path.
Immediately behind the Queen followed a mounted escort of two hundred
young nobles in the gorgeous costume of the Hungarian magnate, covered
with gold and precious stones. Their reins and stirrups were similarly
adorned, and over the left shoulder they wore a leopard skin. The King
and his suite had already taken their places in the cathedral when the
Queen entered. She wore a dress of white brocaded satin and a black
velvet bodice covered with diamonds. The coronation robe was also of
black velvet, bordered with white satin. About her neck was a Hungarian
necklace of diamonds, and on her head she wore the Hapsburg coronet that
had been made originally for Maria Theresa. It is composed entirely of
pearls and diamonds and is valued at three million gulden. While the
King was being crowned, she remained seated with clasped hands absorbed
in prayer, after which she in turn went through her part of the
ceremony. As she resumed her place upon the throne beside the Emperor
with orb and sceptre in hand, the whole assemblage joined in a mighty Te
Deum which re-echoed from the vaulted roof of the old church.
The coronation ceremonies and the enthusiasm with which she was
everywhere received made such an impression upon Elizabeth that she
could never afterward speak of them without emotion and always regarded
the occasion as one of the happiest times of her life.