Exile in Chislehurst for last Emperor of France

Invading Russia is never a good idea, as Napoleon, whose 200th anniversary was on May 5, discovered. But his nephew, Napoleon III, who ruled France from 1848 to 1870, tried just as foolish a feat, invading Bismark’s Prussia. He lost the resulting war, was forced to abdicate, and spent his last years in South-east London, at Camden Place, Chislehurst. GWEN LARDNER tells the story.

A golf club flew the French flag in March to mark 150 years since Emperor Napoléon found a haven on its premises.

Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte was the last emperor to reign over France.

Having been forced into exile, he arrived at Camden Place in Chislehurst on March 20, 1871.

He died in an upstairs bedroom there less than two years later.

Camden Place, was then a private residence. Now, it’s home to Chislehurst Golf Club.

There is enough local interest still that when historians, Angela Hatton and Joanna Friel, gave a talk in March about Napoleon III’s eventful life and the journey that led him to Chislehurst, more than 350 people attended online.

Angela Hatton, a member of the golf club’s heritage committee, said: “England was a haven for the Emperor and Empress and their presence was hugely significant for this area. The couple were friends with Queen Victoria who visited them in Chislehurst on several occasions. Tsar Alexander II was also a visitor.”

Camden Place was originally built in 1715. Shortly after Napoleon’s Empress Eugénie left, it was bought by William Willett, a builder who first came up with the idea of daylight saving.

Willett built houses on the Camden Estate, but under pressure to preserve green spaces, he retained some of the land for a golf course. Chislehurst Golf club opened in 1894.

Joanna Friel, historian and chairwoman of the Chislehurst Society, said: “Camden Place is the jewel in the Chislehurst crown.”

Napoleon III was the nephew of Napoléon Bonaparte, the iconic military leader defeated at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

He was a known philanderer with several mistresses and illegitimate children.

His son, who ruled for only a few weeks in 1815, was always thought of as Napoleon II.

But when Boney’s nephew, Louis Napoleon, stood to be president of the new Second Republic in 1848, his name alone may have been enough for him to win the election, even though he already had two failed coups behind him.

After four years as president, the constitution dictated he should stand down.

But instead he seized power with a coup in 1852 and a plebiscite soon confirmed him as emperor, and the creation of the Second French Empire.

The golf club retains many of the architectural features from Napoleon III’s time, including some original panelling that has been described by experts as being of international significance.

Several roads in Chislehurst have been named in honour of the royal connection, including Prince Imperial Road and Royal Parade.

Napoleon III died at Camden Place in 1873 following surgery to remove kidney stones.

His death certificate hangs on the wall at the golf club.

He had one son, who died in 1879 while fighting in the Zulu War in South Africa.

His wife, the Empress Eugenie, later moved to Farnborough, Hampshire, and died in 1920 while in her native Spain.

All three are buried in the Imperial Crypt at St Michael’s Abbey, Farnborough.