When was Napoleon crowned Emperor of the French?
Napoleon was crowned Emperor of the French on the 2nd of December 1804. This event marked the instantiation of a modern empire in France.
Questions about Coronation of Napoleon
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who officiated at the coronation ceremony in Paris?
Pope Pius VII agreed to officiate at the ceremony in Paris. The Pope arrived and participated in the service despite initial plans following standard Roman liturgy.
What happened when Napoleon placed the crown upon his own head during the coronation?
At the climax, Napoleon turned and removed his laurel wreath before placing the crown upon his own head. He then proceeded to crown Josephine immediately after this act without any precedent existing in either the Roman Pontifical or the French Ceremonial for such joint procedure.
How much did the entire coronation cost according to government tallies?
Government tallies showed the entire cost exceeded 8.5 million francs. Onlookers estimated between four and five thousand people watched from outside Notre Dame while many held their places all night through intermittent showers that cleared in the morning.
Why did Napoleon choose bees over fleur-de-lis for his regalia symbols?
The symbol replaced the fleur-de-lis to link the new dynasty with ancient times rather than the Bourbon past. These bees were drawn from regalia discovered in the Merovingian tomb of Childeric I.