144 years after his death, Prince Imperial attracts international visitors to Dundee

Dundee’s annual French Soirée to commemorate Napoleon III (father of the Prince Imperial, Louis Napoleon) was a splendid evening on Saturday, June 3.
The prince was killed on June 1, 1879, during a skirmish in the Anglo-Zulu War, near Nquthu.
The memorial where the prince was ambushed – along with two Natal Native Horse troopers, Abel and Rogers, as well as the Zulu guide accompanying them – has become a major tourist attraction.
This initiative has been pioneered by former French lecturer in Pietermaritzburg, Glenn Flanagan (project leader of the French presence in KZN: Routes Prince Imperial, Louis Napoleon and King Dinuzuluka Cetshwayo).
Elisabeth Durham (patron of Chez Nous B&B) and her team pulled out all the associative Franco-German-Swiss stops to mark different stages in the life of Napoleon III – born in France, exiled after Waterloo to Augsburg, Germany, and Arenenberg, Switzerland, and eventually back to France as president and then emperor of the French over a period of 22 years (1848 to 1870).
The décor, the cuisine and the ambiance of the soirée were superlative, and the tone was definitely also set by the presence of prestigious members of the Embassy of France in South Africa: David Martinon (recently appointed ambassador of France); Monsieur Etienne Chapon (Consul General); and Monsieur Alexandre Barrière-Izard (counsellor for French citizens living overseas).
A presentation called ‘A Glimpse of Napoleon III’ by Glenn Flanagan provided a visual overview of the emperor in question.
As usual, the French Week programme continued to the Prince Imperial monument the next morning.
“The commemorative ceremonies were well attended.
“Besides our distinguished guests, there were other provincial and locals visitors, members of the uQweqwe community (area where the memorial to the Prince Imperial is situated), some 30 izindunas and committee members of the kwaHlahlindlela Development Committee.
“Bonhomie, bagpipes (thanks to Billy Villiers and Louis Eksteen of Newcastle), footballs, tracksuits (thanks to the Consulate and Embassy of France), oranges, water, and special gift bags in honour of Napoleon III ).
“A unique highlight was the ultimate public announcement of the best imperial moustache à la Napoleon III, awarded to Dundee’s Graham Peddie.
“This reminded us that cultural tourism development is a community endeavour and will only progress if the community involves itself meaningfully.
“Hope springs eternal!” Flanagan told the Courier after the prestigious event that took everyone down memory lane.