Napoleon Bonaparte Descendant Prince Napoléon Marries Austrian Countess in Royal Wedding
History, quite often, has a sense of humor. For a descendant of Napoleon Bonaparte named Jean-Christophe, Prince Napoléon, that was exactly the case when he wed an Austrian countess with an equally-vibrant lineage.
The groom, 33, wed Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinnerberg this weekend in Paris in a royal wedding bearing significance as it’s now been over 200 years since the House of Hapsburg and the former House of France were brought together in marriage. The bride, 31, is, interestingly enough, the great-great-great-niece of Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria, who was once the second wife of Napoleon.
Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon and Countess Olympia Arco-Zinneberg leave the Saint-Louis-des-Invalides cathedral at the Invalides memorial complex after their wedding ceremony in Paris on October 19, 2019. (Photo by FRANCOIS GUILLOT / AFP) (Photo by FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP via Getty Images)
According to reports, the couple first met in Paris. At the time, the countess was studying abroad in the French city when she met the London-based heir to Napoleon Bonaparte. He proposed in May 2019, with a whopping 40-carat diamond, which was reportedly sourced from a crown of Napoleon III.
“It’s a story of love rather than a nod to history,” Jean-Christophe previously stated. “When I met Olympia, I plunged into her eyes and not into her family tree. Afterwards we were able to smile at this historical coincidence.”
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 19: Illustration view of the Book of Mass during the Wedding of Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon and Olympia Von Arco-Zinneberg at Les Invalides on October 19, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luc Castel/Getty Images)
The nuptials took place at Les Invalides, where Napoleon’s tomb is now held. The Parisian wedding was followed by a lavish reception at the Château de Fontainebleau, a 12th century venue. The bride wore a silk ballgown by Oscar de la Renta, comprised of leaf-cut-outs and a strapless bodice. During the ceremony, however, she chose a dainty capalet comprised of the same fabric as the remainder of her gown. As far as royal weddings go, she opted for a tiara and diamond drop earrings.
Guests included the newly-engaged Princess Beatrice and her future husband.
This is the third European royal wedding of the year with Charlotte Casiraghi marrying in Monaco, as well as Germany’s Prince Casimir marrying American model Alana Bunte in a castle in June.
See al the images below.
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 19: Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon, his wife Olympia Von Arco-Zinneberg and Princess Napoleon Alix de Foresta attend the Wedding of Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon and Olympia Von Arco-Zinneberg at Les Invalides on October 19, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luc Castel/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 19: Prince Christian de Hanovre and his wife Princess Alessandra de Osma attend the Wedding of Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon and Olympia Von Arco-Zinneberg at Les Invalides on October 19, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luc Castel/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 19: Princess Beatrice d’York and her fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi attend the Wedding of Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon and Olympia Von Arco-Zinneberg at Les Invalides on October 19, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luc Castel/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 19: Archduke Lorenz d’Autriche-Este and his wife Princesse Astrid de Belgique attend the Wedding of Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon and Olympia Von Arco-Zinneberg at Les Invalides on October 19, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luc Castel/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 19: Illustration view of the bag of Princess Astrid de Belgique during the Wedding of Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon and Olympia Von Arco-Zinneberg at Les Invalides on October 19, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luc Castel/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 19: Count Riprand von Arco-Zinneberg and his daughter Countess Olympia Von Arco-Zinneberg attend the Wedding of Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon and Olympia Von Arco-Zinneberg at Les Invalides on October 19, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luc Castel/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 19: Bishop of the French Armies, Antoine de Romanet goes to celebrate the Wedding of Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon and Olympia Von Arco-Zinneberg at Les Invalides on October 19, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luc Castel/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 19: Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon and his wife Olympia Von Arco-Zinneberg pose in a car at the end of their wedding at Les Invalides on October 19, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Luc Castel/Getty Images)
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