Duchess Helene

 is a character on The Empress. She is portrayed by Elisa Schlott.

Biography
Helene is the sister of Empress Elisabeth.

Throughout The Empress
Archduchess Sophie, the mother of Emperor Franz Joseph, arranged for Franz to marry Helene, as it would legitimise the Austrian Empire's claim over Bavaria.

Helene, her mother Princess Ludovika, and her sister Elisabeth travelled to Bad Ischl to meet Franz on his birthday. After arriving at Ischl, her family realised that their trunk of fancy clothes were left behind and had to greet the Emperor and his family in funeral clothes.

While Helene's family were at Bad Ischl, Franz met Helene's younger sister, Elisabeth, and fell in love with her. She reminded him of what he was like before he became Emperor.

When the two families officially met to have lunch, Franz sat with Helene, his bride-to-be, and their mothers, while Elisabeth sat with Archduke Maximilian, Franz's mischevious younger brother and the Italian baroness Maximilian was seeing. During a walk in the garden, Helene gifted Franz a handkerchief for his birthday. Shortly after, he returned the handkerchief to Helene so that she could wipe the sweat off her face. Franz made no attempt to know Helene and was immediately fascinated by her sister Elisabeth

Unbeknownst to Helene, Franz and Elisabeth had met with each other several times, and Franz had fallen in love with Elisabeth. Hence, in the morning, Emperor Franz announced that he would like to ask for Elisabeth's hand in marriage. This surprised everyone. Helene who was disappointed at the news ran away and Elisabeth chased after her. Helene even asked Elisabeth to refuse the proposal but Elisabeth told her that she had never felt this way before. This put a strain on the two sisters' relationship.

Helene cut her hair.

Elisabeth, Helene, Ludovika and Maximilian arrived at Schönbrunn Palace, where they were greeted by Franz and Sophie.

At the soirée before the night before the wedding, Elisabeth ran into Helene. Helene was still upset and bemoaned Elisabeth's lack of maturity and courage to face the difficult things in life, to which Elisabeth replied that Helene had become like their mother.

On the morning of the wedding, Esterházy was furious as Elisabeth wasn't found in her bed. Instead, Elisabeth was hiding behind the curtains with Helene. Helene found her and the two sisters reconciled their relationship.

After the wedding, Elisabeth requested Countess Esterházy to allow Helene to head her court, which greatly concerned Esterházy.

Later at a ball, when Elisabeth was nowhere to be found, Franz chatted with Helene. Elisabeth saw this and misinterpreted their friendly gestures. Sophie saw Elisabeth feeling uncomfortable and advised Elisabeth to trust carefully and pose her faith only in those whom her instincts tell her to. She told Elisabeth that she could wed Helene off to one of the fine men in Bohemia.

Elisabeth agreed and proceeded to the first dance with Franz. Helene was heartbroken when the news was broken to her.

Physical appearance
Helene has shoulder-length blonde hair.

Appearances

 * Season One


 * One's Place in the World
 * The Arrival
 * The Wedding

Trivia

 * According to her mother Princess Ludovika, Helene speaks excellent Bohemian (now known as Czech) and has made excellent progress in French.