Eugène Beauharnais was a figure who played a significant role in French political and military history. The son of Viscount Alexandre Beauharnais, who was executed during the revolution, and Josephine, who became Napoleon’s first wife, Eugène enjoyed his step-father’s unwavering favour. As Napoleon’s adjutant he was with him during the Italian campaign and the Egyptian expedition. In 1804 he was promoted to the rank of general. After Napoleon became emperor, Eugène was given the title of prince of the French Empire and when the Kingdom of Italy was formed, he was named as viceroy. In 1806 adopted by Napoleon, he married Amalia, the daughter of the King of Bavaria and the following year was designated heir to the Italian throne. Eugène Beauharnais took part in all Napoleon’s campaigns, including the 1812 attack on Russia. When Napoleon left Russia, Beauharnais assumed command of the remnants of the army. Then Napoleon sent him to Italy to defend the country against the Austrians. After the Bourbon restoration, Eugène withdrew to Bavaria. He was granted the county of Leuchtenberg by his father-in-law together with the title of duke and so became the founder of the ducal house of Leuchtenberg that subsequently had close ties to Russia. In 1839 his younger son, Maximilian Eugène Joseph Napoleon, married Maria Nikolayevna, a daughter of Nicholas I. He received the title of His Imperial Highness and moved permanently to Russia.