Handover of the Emperor’s Body to the Prince of Joinville

(Remise du corps de l’Empereur au prince de Joinville)  AFTER ALPHONSE CHEDEVILLE

The transfer of Napoleon’s remains from the possession of Britain to the French nation was a highly symbolic event politically, and therefore the actual hand-over was marked by a ceremony. During the exhumation the Prince de Joinville stayed on bord Belle-Poule in order to signify the difference between his role (commander of the frigate) and that of Rohan-Chabot, representing the King. At the end of the afternoon, the Prince awaited the cortège at the port and oversaw the embarkation of the coffin.