Empress Eugénie

Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III and Empress consort of France, is in the news due to recent events involving artifacts associated with her and her husband. Specifically, altar cards stolen from Napoleon III's crypt in 2014 were recovered after an antiques dealer recognized them from a TV show. Separately, Empress Eugénie's crown, stolen during a heist at the Louvre Museum in October, has been recovered, but with significant damage. The Louvre recently released images showing the extent of the damage to the crown. These incidents highlight the enduring historical and cultural significance of Empress Eugénie and Napoleon III, as objects linked to their reign continue to be targeted and recovered, albeit sometimes in compromised condition. The events serve as a reminder of the ongoing interest in and value placed upon artifacts from the Second French Empire.