What happened to France's Napoleon II?

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We always hear about Napoleon Bonaparte--otherwise know as Napoleon I or Napoleon the Great…

And then, in the 1850's, Napoleon III appears as the last French monarch.

It made me wonder, who on earth was Napoleon II?   Hardly any one talks about him!

So, here is the timetable:
  • Napoleon Bonaparte (“I”) declared himself emperor in 1804 and lasted until 1814 when the Bourbons reinstalled a King (Louis XVII).
  • Louis didn’t last long—half a year, before Bonaparte reinstalled himself—for an even shorter period before he was exiled to Elba.   In an attempt to hang on before exile, he annointed his son—Napoleon II (!) Emperor.   Napoleon Junior was only 4 years old the day he became Emperor--but he only lasted about two weeks before the Bourbons managed to kick him out, putting Louis XVIII back as king.   This 100 day period of I and II in charge is known as “The First Empire.”   Ha…for a few months.  By the way, Napoleon II was also sent into exile--he lived that way until he died young--at 21.  
  • Napoleon III showed up as president of “the Second Empire” but then promoted himself to Emperor Napoleon III in 1852.   He lasted until 1870, and was the final monarch of France—it’s been a republic ever since.   Though he’s 40 years after I and II, he was actually Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew, and Napoleon II’s cousin…

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