Page "Joséphine de Beauharnais" Paragraph 26

The final die was cast when Joséphine ’ s grandson Napoleon Charles Bonaparte who had been declared Napoléon ’ s heir, died of croup in 1807.

Napoleon began to create lists of eligible princesses.

At dinner on 30 November 1809, he let Joséphine know that — in the interest of France — he must find a wife who could produce an heir.

From the next room, Napoléon ’ s secretary heard the screams.