Almost every German state, as well as the vast majority of European countries, sent representatives of the highest rank to attend the marriage alliance between the Bavarian and Württemberg royal houses.
Even the Regent of France appeared at the wedding.
What shocked people most was that he personally officiated the marriage of seventeen-year-old Ludwig and nineteen-year-old Katharina.
The Bavarian royal family spared no expense, completely renovating the palace, while all of Munich plunged into celebration for several days. The only regret was that the situation in Rome had recently become somewhat chaotic, so the Pope had not sent a Cardinal Archbishop to preside over the wedding. In truth, this arrangement had been made at Joseph's instruction by King Maximilian I of Bavaria.
Moreover, the entire wedding had deliberately downplayed Catholic elements. There had not even been a process for the Protestant bride to convert.
Yes, ever since Karl Eugen ascended the throne more than sixty years ago, the Württemberg royal family had begun converting to Protestantism. Although there were still many Catholics within Württemberg, Protestantism had already gained the upper hand.
If Bavaria wished to join hands fully with Württemberg, religion was a hurdle they could not avoid.
On the third day of the wedding, the palace celebrations had already drawn to a close, though fireworks still burst over Munich. Maximilian I and Friedrich III, Duke of Württemberg, arrived together at the room where the Regent of France was staying, claiming they had come to see him off.
Yes, Friedrich III had actually broken the European monarchs' custom of rarely leaving their own countries and personally come to Munich. Publicly, he claimed that he cherished his daughter and had come for her wedding. In reality, he had come to meet Joseph.
The two kings appeared somewhat restrained. The moment they