Napoleon marries Marie-Louise, the Austrian Emperor's daughter, by proxy. When his bride arrives in Paris, Napoleon is entranced, and overjoyed when she soon becomes pregnant. But he is faced with an agonising decision when the birth becomes difficult - should he sacrifice his wife or protect his lineage?

Napoleon meets his Waterloo, both personally and militarily. His disastrous Russian campaign results in abdication and exile to Elba. He believes his wife and son will accompany him but they go with the Emperor of Austria to Vienna. Josephine, faithful to the last dies soon after his departure. Almost a year later Napoleon returns to France, and so begins the famous "100 days". Then comes defeat at Waterloo - Napoleon prepares to meet his destiny - permanent exile on the island of St Helena in the Atlantic ocean.