Elisabeth did not interfere in politics except for once, when she played a definite role in the regulation of the conflict with Hungary in the 1860s. During the visit of the imperial couple to Hungary, the Hungarians were delighted with Elisabeth's beauty. Tall and slender, with classical features and big bright eyes, luxurious chestnut hair she left nobody indifferent. Feeling the sincere love and admiration, which she did not receive in the Vienna court, she answered with mutual sympathy. She learned the Hungarian language and was fond of the Hungarian literature. She tried to spend more time in her Hungarian estates. Feeling lonely in Vienna, where the real queen was Sophie, Elisabeth formed her own court from Magyar ladies. To much distaste of Sophie, Elisabeth had contacts with the leaders of the Hungarian opposition and she managed to influence Franz's attitude towards the Hungarian problems. In 1867 Franz Josef reformed the country into the dual Austro-Hungarian monarchy with constitutional rule, Hungary got more rights in deciding its internal problems. Franz Joseph and Elisabeth were crowned on June 8, 1867 in Budapest as the King and Queen of Hungary. In Austria itself Elisabeth tried to avoid all official ceremonies.
