ðɪ ˈaɪlənd wʌz ɚɹˈɪdʒɪnəli pˈɜːtʃɪst baɪ mˌæksɪmˈɪliənz wˈaɪf ʃˈɑːɹlət ʌv mˈɛksɪkˌoʊ, wɪð pˈɑːɹt ʌv hɜː mˈæɹɪdʒ dˈaʊɹi, ænd ʃiː ɹᵻtˈeɪnd ˈoʊnɚʃˌɪp ʌvðɪ ˈaɪlənd ˈiːvən ˈæftɚ ʃiː ænd hɜː hˈʌsbənd bɪkˌeɪm ˈɛmpɚɹɚ ænd ˈɛmpɹɛs ʌv mˈɛksɪkˌoʊ.
The island was originally purchased by Maximilian's wife Charlotte of Mexico, with part of her marriage dowry, and she retained ownership of the island even after she and her husband became Emperor and Empress of Mexico.