Countess Sophie Esterházy

 is a character on The Empress. She is portrayed by Wiebke Puls.

Biography
Esterházy is Archduchess Sophie's close confidant and Chief Court Mistress.

Throughout The Empress
Esterházy, lined up the handmaidens, including Leontine von Apafi, giving them strict instructions to not leave any gaps in the preparation of the royal wedding. She asked the handmaidens to take note of everything about Elisabeth.

During Elisabeth and Franz's dance lesson with Johann Strauss, they snuck off and kissed in a room. They were caught by Esterházy.

Esterházy brought Elisabeth to a room, where she was forced to have a chastity test by a doctor, with the assistance of Countess Leontine von Apafi and Countess Amalia von Salm-Reifferscheidt. During the chastity test, Elisabeth was visibly uncomfortable and kicked the doctor. She refused to be tested and said that she was chaste, but Esterházy was insistent that the doctor must confirm Elisabeth's chastity. When the doctor questioned Elisbeth's chastity, Leontine von Apafi spoke for Elisabeth and held her hand.

On the morning of the wedding, Esterhazy was furious as Elisabeth wasn't found in her bed the next morning. Instead, Elisabeth was hiding behind the curtains with Helene. Helen tried to manage her anxiety 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. Elisbeth later changed her mind and sent Helene off to Bohemia.

Appearances

 * Season One


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