As I’ve gone through original source material, I sometimes happen upon information that Napoleon’s mother known as “Madame Mère” never bought the act of Marie Louise, Napoleon’s 2nd wife.
We have a letter after the death of Napoleon, where Marie Louise tells one of her oldest friends, Victoire, that she never felt a thing for Napoleon.
Marie Louise.
Madame Mere was also quoted as saying that Marie Louise was insipid in person but she wrote a pretty letter. Here is the type of letter she was probably referencing. On this occasion, Marie Louise is with the other Hapsburgs as Napoleon goes off to the disastrous campaign of Russia - which would’ve never occurred had he not married Marie Louise - Napoleon said on St. Helena.
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Prague, June 25, 1812.
My dear mother, although this letter will no longer find you in Paris, and I do not know if it will reach you exactly, I hasten to express to you all my gratitude for your kind letter of June 8th, which I received a few days ago.
You are too good to want an apology because I have not written to you as often as my heart wanted; but I don't have a minute of my own time.
My family takes up every minute and even, at this moment, I am surrounded by my sisters who make such a racket, that you must have indulgence for all the spelling mistakes that you will notice in this letter.
I very much wish that the waters of Aix-en-Savoie will do you all the good that you expect. If they have the full impact your daughter's heart desires, you will soon be fully healed.
I very much share the satisfaction that you will experience, at this moment, in seeing the Cardinal [Madame’s half brother Cardinal Fesch] again, for I have been told that he will come to see you at the water resort.
The Emperor is doing wonderfully. He is still in the vicinity of Konigsberg, always busy, always on horseback, but he is only getting better, and the only consolation that I feel, during his absence, is to be able to think that his fatigue does not give me any reason to fear for his health.
He writes to me very often, and each day that I receive a letter is a day of happiness for me.
I am very grateful to you, my dear mother, for the news you give me of my son. I look forward to seeing him again, as well as you, to thank you for all the friendship you have shown me and that I will never forget it.
My health is very good. I am even getting fat, but nothing can console me for the absence of the emperor, not even the presence of all my family, who is here and who shows me a touching tenderness.
I'm going to see the surroundings; the weather seconds me, because it is fine.
I think I will be leaving here shortly to return to Paris; but I will inform you again later on the day of my departure. I beg you to give me your news and to be persuaded of the tender and respectful friendship which I will have for you all my life, my dear mother,
Your very attached and obedient daughter.
LOUISE.
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Au fur et à mesure que j'ai parcouru des sources originales, je tombe parfois sur des informations selon lesquelles la mère de Napoléon connue sous le nom de "Madame Mère" n'a jamais cru l'acte de Marie Louise, la 2ème épouse de Napoléon.
Nous avons une lettre après la mort de Napoléon où Marie Louise dit à l'une de ses plus anciennes amies, Victoire, qu'elle n'a jamais rien ressenti pour Napoléon.
Mme. Mère aurait également déclaré que Marie Louise était insipide en personne, mais elle a écrit une jolie lettre.
Voici le type de lettre auquel elle faisait probablement référence. À cette occasion, Marie Louise est avec les autres Habsbourg alors que Napoléon part pour la campagne désastreuse de la Russie - qui ne se serait jamais produite s'il n'avait pas épousé Marie Louise - Napoléon a déclaré à Sainte-Hélène.
Madame Mère.
Napoleon François, the son Marie Louise left in harm’s way in order to obtain Parma and Count Neipperg all to herself — while her father was a jailer of her husband Napoleon.
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Le fils Marie Louise est parti en danger afin d'obtenir Parme et le comte Neipperg pour elle toute seule.