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Philippe I, Duke of Orleans
(1640-1701)
Born 21 September 1640 St.Germain-en-Laye
Died 9 June 1701 St.Cloud
Buried St.Denis
Married (1) 31 March 1661 Palais Royal
Princess Henriette Anne of England,
daughter of Charles I, King of England, Scotland and Ireland 1625-1649
and Princess Henrietta Maria de France
Born 16 June 1644 Exeter
Died 30 June 1670 St.Cloud
Married (2) 16 November 1671 Chalons
Princess Elisabeth Charlotte von der Pfalz,
Herzogin von Bayern, Pfalzgraefin am Rhein,
daughter of Karl I Ludwig, Elector von der Pfalz 1649-1680
and Landgraefin Charlotte von Hessen-Kassel
Born 27 May 1652 Heidelberg
Died 8 December 1722 St.Cloud
Buried St.Denis
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Born the second son on 21 September 1640, he was named after his Spanish
grandfather and given the title of Duc d'Anjou. His father, Louis XIII,
was pleased as he had never expected the joy of having two children. Sadly,
however, Louis XIII died in 1643. Philippe and his remain for the rest
of their lives.
Philippe became a rather pretty boy, gentle and dainty. He liked dressing
himself as a girl and, instead of rough sports, preferred to help the court
ladies sew new dresses. At first his mother did not mind, as a strong,
self-assertive younger son might become the centre
for disgruntled people in opposition to his brother. However, as he
grew older his effiminacy became more pronounced and he was prettier than
ever. He loved sweets, parties, gossip, jewels, fussy clothes and the tinkle
of bells.
Louis XIV, who loved his brother dearly, at first wanted him to marry
their cousin, Anne Marie Louise, Duchesse de Montpensier. After three months
of courting, 'Mademoiselle' as she was known recognised that Philippe would
never "achieve distinction by great deeds".
Nevertheless she decided that she would try to love him as he was;
but when she teased him on his returning from a masquerade dressed as a
girl, she found he did not like being teased as he was far too dignified
to take a joke against himself. So Anne Marie Louise
declined the honour of becoming his wife.
Philippe then began to surround himself with mignons so that both Louis
XIV and their mother became sufficiently concerned to find him a wife,
another first cousin, Henriette Anne of England. As the sister of an exiled
monarch, Henriette Anne had previously been rejected by the Duke of Savoy
and the de' Medici heir of Tuscany. The marriage of
Philippe, Duc d'Orleans, and Henriette Anne took place on 1 April 1661.
Philippe was amorous for two weeks, but then began pouting when his friends
paid more attention to his wife. Nevertheless they still produced four
children. Henriette Anne, who was used by Louis XIV as an envoy to her
brother Charles II, died suddenly on 30 June 1670 aged only twenty-six.
Poison was suspected and so was Philippe, but it was established that she
had died of natural causes.
He remained unmarried for only a short period and, on 16 November 1671,
wedded Elisabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine. "Liselotte" produced three
children, which included his son and heir. All through his marriages Philippe
still had his mignons as well as mistresses who produced illegitimate children.
In 1692 Philippe's son was forced by Louis XIV to marry the king's illegitimate
daughter. According to the standards of the time this was
a misalliance and Liselotte was furious with her son. Nevertheless
their son's marriage worked, even though it did not stop him from having
affairs simultaneously.
In 1701 their son had both his wife and an actress pregnant as well
as having an affair with one of his mother's ladies-in-waiting. When their
daughter-in-law complained to her father, he approached Philippe who immediately
maintained that the king was the last one to
complain. Louis XIV was furious at being reminded that he himself had
forced his wife to travel in the same coach as two of his own mistresses.
Later that night the Duc d'Orleans's son sent a message to Louis XIV
that his father, Louis's brother, was seriously ill; but, still angry,
Louis XIV went to bed. Only after another message was sent did Louis XIV
go to see his brother but found him unconscious, and soon afterwards the
Duc d'Orleans died.
Source: Leo van de Pas |
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