Napoleons letter to the royal family of Great Britain marks a historic moment in time, following his failed attempt to return to power. Despite his efforts during the Hundred Days campaign, he was ultimately defeated at the Battle of Waterloo by the Seventh Coalition. This decisive battle brought about the permanent end of the Napoleonic Empire, leading to Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile from France. His defeat was immortalized in his letter to the British royal family, where he formally surrendered and requested shelter.
Napoleons Letter to Prince George
Although initially defeated in the War of the Sixth Coalition and exiled to the island of Elba, Napoleons Bonaparte was not satisfied with their position and returned to France to reclaim his position as emperor. Many soldiers and citizens rallied to his side, joining his army and allowing him to briefly reclaim his throne. When the rest of the European powers heard about this, they rushed to mobilize their armies and stop him before he could consolidate control over France.
Rather than let them unite their forces, Napoleons letter hoped to defeat the coalition forces one by one which resulted in the famous clash at Waterloo. Unfortunately for Napoleons, his plan failed, and the coalition was able to overwhelm his French army. With his force defeated Napoleon had no choice but to surrender.
This surrender took place on July 15, aboard the warship, HMS Bellerophon. This marked the end of his rule and the Napoleonic Wars. Shortly after, he wrote a letter to Prince George, the reagent of Great Britain where he agreed to relinquish his throne in exchange for shelter in Great Britain.
Even in defeat, Napoleon letter remained well-spoken and charismatic, comparing himself to the Greek hero Themistocles as he marches off into exile with dignity.
Royal Highness,
Exposed to the factions which divide my country and to the enmity of the greatest powers of Europe, I have terminated my political career, and I come, like Themistocles, to throw myself upon the hospitality of the British people. I put myself under the protection of their laws, which I claim from your Royal Highness as the most powerful, the most constant, and the most generous of my enemies.
Napoleon
-Napoleon Bonaparte, Former Emperor of France.
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