turning Napoleon into a hero.12 The news of his death, which occurred on 5 May 1821, was reported in London on 4 July, but it was overshadowed by the British public’s interest in what would happen at the forthcoming coronation, from which the new King, George IV, had banned his unruly Queen. It was said that when the messenger announced the fallen Emperor’s death with the words: ‘Sire! I have to tell you that your greatest enemy is dead!’ the King replied: ‘No! By God! Is she?’
