Portraits of Sissi and Ludwig II of Bavaria
The deep bond that certainly united Sissi and Ludwig II of Bavaria , has always been the subject of studies and hypotheses.
The Empress of Austria and the unfortunate sovereign were cousins, but their relationship was so intense that it went far beyond the normal affection that usually exists between relatives.
The two often met, dated, confided and the king was so happy at every visit of Sissi, that in all the European courts, contemporaries began to malign that they were lovers.
But was that true?
As far as we know, no.
First of all, it should be noted that Ludwig never showed any interest in the other sex, in no sense, secondly, he had so many points in common with his cousin in terms of character and personal, that the partnership that arose had to be as natural as possible.
Both fragile, melancholy and intolerant to the rules dictated by the strict court etiquette, Sissi and Ludwig were united by a passion for art, poetry in particular, and for sport, which for them meant indulging in long and exhausting rides in the woods. / P>
Surely Ludwig never felt sexual attraction towards his beautiful cousin, one of the most fascinating women of her time, whom he saw rather as an angelic figure, an almost rarefied and timeless being, mirror of his own anxieties and, probably, the only person with which he could freely express himself and truly be himself.
On the other hand, it appears that the Empress, wife of Franz Joseph despite the marital problems that have emerged over the years and basically common to many long-term couples, she has never had lovers.
In short, everything suggests that there was anything but a sordid clandestine affair between Sissi and Ludwig, but a much rarer type of relationship made up of communion of spirits and elective affinities.