Napoleon lives to 1852?

Though 1848 (Napoleon III being elected President of the Second Republic) could also work for this question, what if Napoleon had somehow found a way to survive thirty more years on St. Helena?
What effect might this have had on the revolutions in France around that time?

Though he'd be 78 - 81 around this time, I wonder if him being alive would've helped or hurt the power plays of his nephew (edit).

Additionally, if Napoleon III's coup still happens as per OTL, is it plausible to consider that Napoleon I might've been brought back to Paris for a third go-around as Emperor (maybe as a figurehead)?
 
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Napoleon III was Napoleon I's nephew not grandson.

I doubt that NIII would rare bring his uncle back from St. Helena. Would first Napoleon even be anymore in full sense when has lived in isolation over thirty years?

But at least we would have photograph about him.
 
Napoleon III was Napoleon I's nephew not grandson.

I doubt that NIII would rare bring his uncle back from St. Helena. Would first Napoleon even be anymore in full sense when has lived in isolation over thirty years?

But at least we would have photograph about him.

I'm not so sure. Nappy's exploits were still, as clearly as the prestige given to his nephew shows, a powerful narrative for the French populace. I'm also 100% positive he'd be brought back and give a ceremonial title to add greater legitimacy to the Second Empire.
 
Interesting, how Napoleon would perceive the Revolutions, If he has still the cognitive ability and interest ( Letizia lived till 86, so).

Exactly - by that stretch 78 is comparatively young, so I doubt he would've missed much cognitively. That being said he'd most likely come out in favor of them, considering their success could've done in old rivals like the Austrian and Prussian monarchies.
 
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For the sake of getting the discussion going I'll try to game out what I think may happen regarding the February revolution of 1848 if Napoleon was still alive on St. Helena. Feel free to critically assess the plausibility of this as I am no expert on this point in history.


So Napoleon, who found himself confined to the damp hovel of Longwood House on Helena, somehow manages to survive without serious illness until at least the fall of House Bourbon in 1830 - after which the newly enthroned King Louis-Phillippe of House Orleans successfully petitions the British to supply the deposed Emperor with much better accommodations on the island (IIRC, there were many former officers of Napoleon within the July coup of 1830 and the Orleanists had close ties with Great Britain). With better dwellings, a small increase in supplies, and more access to European news, Napoleon continues to stave off the angel of death for another 18 years. When the February Revolution of 1848 hits, Napoleon, who is made aware of the collapse of the monarchy, issues a declaration of support for the revolutionaries, doing so again during the June Days Uprising later that year. Thus, when his nephew is elected President of the Second Republic, Napoleon's support is seen as one of several central catalysts for the political success of the Bonapartists. Fast forward a few more years to the planning stages of the 1851 coup, and an elder Napoleon, whose prestige is still seen as major revolutionary tool is asked for a letter backing the move. With its success occurring the same way as per OTL, the later referendum of November 1852 sees the successful re-establishment of the empire. With his Nephew now enthroned as Napoleon III, a contingent of ships is sent to St.Helena in early 1853 to bring his uncle back home.


As far as what comes next, I'm not sure. Would the British let him go without France paying some indemnity for his release? Would the Royal Navy attempt to stop them?
 
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