Queen Marie’s strength had been broken by sorrow; she outlived her eldest son by only two years. “Bavaria’s unhappiest mother” expired on the 17th of May, 1889, at Hohenschwangau, where she had lived the full and happy years of her youth. With the words: “God save Bavaria, God save Prussia!” she drew her last sigh.
The Duchesse d’Alençon was visiting her parents at Possenhofen, when her former betrothed found his death in the neighbouring lake of Starnberg. The news of it so greatly shocked her that she temporarily lost her reason.
Ludwig’s deposition and violent death called forth stormy debates in the Bavarian Chamber. In order to convince the world that his treatment had been justified, the Ministry revealed without mercy the development of his disease; and eminent alienists were unanimous in their declaration that for several years his mind had been clouded.
But to this day there are many among his people who do not believe it.
Bavaria has not forgotten King Ludwig, and the traits of geniality and kindness, by which he won all, are still spoken of with love. In those parts where he mostly resided the remembrance of the “romanticist on the throne” dwells fresh and warm in the hearts of the people.
The sources made use of in the writing of this book are as follows:—
Professor Dr C. Beyer: “Ludwig II., König von Bayern (Ein characterbild).”
Brachvogel: “Ludwig II., König von Bayern.”
I. L. Craemer: “König Ludwig und Richard Wagner.”