On January 30, 1889 Rudolph, the Crown Prince of the Austro-Hungarian empire, is found dead in his room at Mayerling, an apparent suicide. With him was the young Marie Vetsera daughter of a Baroness. The family physician determines that the girl died several hours before the Prince who then likely consumed a good amount of brandy before shooting himself in the head. The State apparatus immediately begins to cover up the circumstances of the death and courtiers attempt to shift the blame to the girl. Emperor Franz-Josef and Empress Elisabeth are initially told Marie poisoned their son but the truth comes out, to their dismay.
—garykmcd