Plot

Archduchess Sophia of Austria-Hungary arranges a marriage of convenience between her young son Franz-Josef, the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, and the Bavarian princess Hélène of Wittelsbach. However, as a great ball is held to celebrate their betrothal, Franz-Josef takes no notice of Hélène, but instead spends the night waltzing away with Hélène's younger sister Elisabeth. Against his mother's will, Franz-Josef marries Elizabeth, but his 16-year-old bride finds it very hard to adapt to her new role as Empress.—Anonymous

By the early 1850's the time had come for Emperor Franz Joseph to marry. His somewhat domineering mother, the archduchess Sophia, has arranged a marriage to Bavarian Princess Helene and has organized a ball in Vienna where they can be seen together for the first time. Franz Joseph however takes an immediate liking to her younger sister Elisabeth, known as Sisi. They are married but Sisi has trouble settling it at court, particularly in her dealings with her new mother-in-law. A number of years will go by before she bears him a son. Another area of discord is her distinct attraction to Hungary, part of the empire that has given the Emperor much difficulty since the revolution of 1848.—garykmcd