Top 10 Facts about Philippe I, Duke of Orléans

Philippe of France, Duke of Orléans. Author Pierre Mignard I. WIKIMEDIA

Top 10 Facts about Philippe I, Duke of Orléans

Monsieur Philippe the first, Duke of Orleans was the younger son of King Louis XIII of France and his wife Anne of Austria. Philippe was born on 21st September 1640 at the Chateau de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, in the town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France.

He was born the day before his mother, Anne’s 39th birthday. Philippe was the son of a ruling King, which made the infant Philippe hold the rank of the son of France.

Philippe ranked immediately behind his older brother Louis Dauphin of France who inherited the French throne before he reached three. Since his birth, Philippe I was the second in line to the throne of France and had the title of Royal Highness.

The elder brother of Philippe I was known as the “Sun King”, Louis XIV. He became the Duke of Anjou from birth and later the Duke of Orléans after the death of his uncle Gaston in 1660.

Philippe I was also given the dukedoms of Valois and Chartres later in life. In 1671, Philippe got the victory in battle which made Louis XIV grant him the dukedom of Nemours, the marquisates of Coucy and Folembray, and the countships of Dourdan and Romorantin.

Here are the Top 10 Facts about Philippe I, Duke of Orléans:

1. Philippe I was Born a Day before His Mother’s 39th Birthday

Philippe I, Duke of Orléans holds a special place in his family. He was the last born of King Louis XIII of France and his wife, Anne of Austria.

Philippe, I was born on 21st September 1640 at the Chateau de Saint-Germain-en-Laye in the town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The day of his birth was a day after his mother’s 39th birthday.

Philippe was born in three presence of his father Louis XIII, the Princess of Condé and the Duchess of Vendome as well as prominent members of the Bourbon dynasty.

2. He was given Various Titles after Birth

Philippe of France, Duke of Orléans. Author Antoine Mathieu. WIKIMEDIA

Immediately after his birth, celebratory canons in Paris went off to announce the youngest member of the King’s family. He was then baptised in a private ceremony by Dominique Seguier, Bishop of Meaux. The young Prince was given the name Philippe.

His father, Louis XIII wanted to give Philippe the title Count of Artois in honour of a recent French victory of Arras. However, due to respect for tradition, Philippe was given the title of Duke of Anjou instead. This was a title given to younger sons of French Kings in the fourteenth century.

Philippe also held the rank of the son of France. He was second in line for the France throne and entitled to the style of Royal Highness.

3. Philippe was given Decent Education but no Meaningful Financial Freedom

Philippe was raised at the Palais Royal after he contracted and got healed of smallpox. Because of being born into a royal family, Philippe was given decent education.

The tutors of Philippe were chosen by Mazarin. Mazarin was created as the superintendent of the Prince’s education by his mother. The education of Philippe emphasized languages, history, literature, mathematics and dancing.

He grew having his household but his behaviour was closely watched by his mother and Mazarin. Philippe was not given meaningful financial freedom from the crown.

4. The Duke of Orléans had to Flee from Home at 8 Yeats after A Civil War

Louis Philippe d’Orléans, Duke of Orléans. Author François-Xavier Dupré. WIKIMEDIA

Philippe, I grew up in a peaceful environment until later in his age. At the age of eight, a civil war known as the Fronde began in France. This civil war lasted until 1653 and had two main phases: the Fronde Parlementaire (1648 to 1649) and the Fronde des nobles (1650 to 1653).

During this period of the civil war, the Royal family was obliged to flee Paris. This was during the night of 9th February 1651 for the safety of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The main purpose of the royal family to flee was to avoid a revolt by the nobility against Mazarin.

Peace eventually came back with the decision being made for Philippe to move his household to the Palais des Tuileries.

5. Philippe Placed the France Crown on Louis XIV during his Coronation

After the death of their father, Louis XIV was the one to inherit the throne. On 7th June 1654, the coronation of Louis XIV as the new King of France took place.

Philippe, I acted as the dean during this coronation ceremony. He was given the task of placing the crown of France on his brother’s head. Philippe would be a noted lover of etiquette and panoply in his life.

6. He was about to be made King during his Brother’s Ill-health Period

Louis Philippe d’Orléans, Duke of Orléans. Author Alexander Roslin. WIKIMEDIA

In late June 1658, King Louis XIV became gravely ill. He was presumed to be suffering from typhoid. King Louis XIV was almost pronounced dead.

The illness that had occurred to Louis made Philippe heir presumptive to the throne. There was fear that Philippe could contract the infection which made him not see his ailing brother.

During this crisis, Queen Anne became closer to his younger son than his eldest son showing him more affection. However, in mid-July, Louis began recovering with the plans to make Philippe King get shelved.

7. The Duke Made Two Significant Properties Purchases

After the recovery of King Louis XIV, Philippe had to concentrate on his being. In 1658, Philippe made his first and most significant purchase.

He purchased the Chateau de Saint-Cloud, a building about ten kilometres west of Paris. On 8th October 1658, the proprietor of Barthélemy Hervart held a sumptuous feast at Saint-Cloud to honour the royal family.

Two weeks later, Philippe made another significant purchase. He bought the estate for 240,000 livres and organised improvements to what was then a small villa.

8. Queen Anne Nicknamed Philippe “My Little Girl” Affecting his Sexuality

Queen Anne treated his young son with more affection during his childhood. This later affected his sexuality as he grew up. The Queen had several nicknames for Philippe including “my little girl”.

She also encouraged him to dress in feminine clothing even when he was a young man. Philippe retained this habit of wearing feminine clothes all his life. He was later called the “silliest woman who ever lived” by a contemporary about his effeminacy.

When Philippe was a young man, his sexuality was majorly affected. He used to dress up and attend balls and parties in female attire.

9. Philippe was Rejected by the Duchess of Montpensier

Portrait of Louis Philippe d’Orléans, Duke of Orléans. Unknown author. Wikimedia

Louise got married to Maria Theresa of Spain which made Queen Anne turn her attention to Philippe. Philippe had been previously encouraged to court his older cousin, Anne Marie Louise d’Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier.

She was the eldest daughter of Hasyon and his first wife Marie de Bourbon. The Duchess of Montpensier had previously rejected suitors such as Charles the second of England.

Mademoiselle, the Duchess of Montpensier declined the union proposal with Philippe. She complained that Philippe was always beside his mother as if he was a child.

10. Philippe Married Another First Cousin with who he had trouble with his Brother

After the previous rejection by his older cousin, Philippe married another first cousin. He married Princess Henrietta of England, the youngest child of King Charles the first of England and Henrietta Maria of France.

The marriage of Philippe to Princess Henrietta was marred with some challenges. Philippe accused his brother, Louis of flirting with his wife while they lived at their Palace.