Bad Ischler scenary with Empress' harpe
Elisabeth wearing a wreath of ivy, Portrait by Amanda Bergstedt c. 1855
Girlhood
Elisabeth spends a carefree, unconstrained childhood in Munich and Possenhofen on Lake Starnberg. In the summer of 1853 she happens to accompany her mother and elder sister Helene to Ischl, to celebrate the birthday of her cousin, Emperor Franz Joseph. Although it is Sisi’s sister who is intended as Franz Joseph’s bride, the emperor falls head over heels in love with the shy 15-year-old Elisabeth.
On 19 August the official betrothal ceremony takes place. Sisi is overawed by all the attention being paid to her as the future empress. Her unease and apprehension of the Viennese court grows. She feels that with her betrothal in the idyllic setting of Bad Ischl she has entered the world stage and relinquished her personal freedom.
- Wedding announcement
