Antoine Alfred Agenor de Biography

Birth of Antoine Alfred Agenor, 10th Duc de Gramont

Supports an alliance of France with Austria

responsible for the bungling of the negotiations between France and Prussia arising out of the candidature of Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen for the throne of Spain, which led to the disastrous war of 1870-71

Sends Benedetti at Ems the fatal telegram demanding the King of Prussia's guarantee that the candidature would not be revived

Appointed Foreign Minister

Benedetti had been instructed by his superior, Foreign Minister Agenor, the Duc de Gramont, to present the French demand that the king should guarantee that he would never again permit the candidacy of a Hohenzollern prince to the Spanish throne.

King Wilhelm I of Prussia, on his morning stroll in the Kurpark in Ems, was stopped by Count Vincent Benedetti, the French ambassador to Prussia since 1864.

Politely, and in a friendly manner, the king refused to bind himself to any course of action into the indefinite future. After their exchange, "the two departed coolly."

The meeting was informal and took place on the promenade of the Kursaal with the king's entourage at a discreet distance.

Wilhelm admits Prussia was behind Leopolds acceptance of the Spanish throne. Refuses to allow foreign powers to install a prince on the throne of Charles V

Telegrams Berlin demanding details of the Prussian "Hohenzollern intrigue"

Announces "the interests & the honour of France are in peril"

Asks William for "assurance that he never authorize a renewal of the candidacy"

After the defeat of Weissenburg Gramont resigns his office

Death of Antoine Alfred Agenor, 10th Duc de Gramont