Elisabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elisabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate |
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Liselotte by Rigaud
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| Duchess of Orléans | |||||
| Tenure | 16 November 1671 – 9 June 1701 | ||||
| Born | 27 May 1652 Heidelberg Castle, Heidelberg |
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| Died | 8 December 1722 (aged 70) Château de Saint Cloud, France |
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| Burial | 10 December 1722 Royal Basilica of Saint Denis, France |
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| Spouse | Philippe, Duke of Orléans | ||||
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Alexandre Louis, Duke of Valois Philippe, Duke of Orléans, Regent of France Élisabeth Charlotte, Duchess of Lorraine |
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| Father | Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine | ||||
| Mother | Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel | ||||
| Religion | Calvinism Roman Catholicism |
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| Signature |  |
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Elisabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate (born May 27, 1652 – died December 8, 1722) was a German princess. She became the wife of Philippe, Duke of Orléans. Philippe was the younger brother of King Louis XIV of France.
Elisabeth Charlotte is famous for the many letters she wrote. These letters give us a detailed look into the royal court of her brother-in-law, King Louis XIV. At court, people often called her simply Madame. She was also known as La Palatine or the Princess Palatine.
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Early Life and Family
Elisabeth Charlotte was born at Heidelberg Castle in Germany. Her father was Charles I Louis, Elector Palatine. Her mother was Landgravine Charlotte of Hesse-Kassel. She grew up as a princess in the Palatinate region.
In 1671, at the age of 19, she married Philippe I, Duke of Orléans. This marriage was important for political reasons. It helped to strengthen ties between her German family and the French royal family.
Life at the French Court
After her marriage, Elisabeth Charlotte moved to France. She lived at the grand French court, often at the Palace of Versailles. This was the home of King Louis XIV, one of the most powerful kings in Europe. Life at court was very formal and had many strict rules.
Elisabeth Charlotte was known for her straightforward personality. She often found the strict rules of court life difficult. She missed her home country and its simpler ways.
Her Famous Letters
Elisabeth Charlotte wrote thousands of letters throughout her life. She sent them to her family and friends in Germany. These letters are incredibly valuable today. They describe daily life at the French court. She wrote about the people, the events, and even the gossip.
Her letters give us a unique look into the private lives of royalty. She wrote about King Louis XIV, his family, and other important people. She shared her honest thoughts and feelings. These letters are a major source of information for historians.
Her Children
Elisabeth Charlotte and Philippe, Duke of Orléans, had three children:
- Alexandre Louis d'Orléans, Duke of Valois (born 1673 – died 1676). He sadly passed away when he was very young.
- Philippe d'Orléans (born 1674 – died 1723). He later became the Duke of Orléans. He married Françoise Marie de Bourbon. Their children include ancestors of Louis Philippe I, who became King of the French. Philippe also served as the Regent of France. This meant he ruled France for a time when the king was too young.
- Élisabeth Charlotte d'Orléans (born 1676 – died 1744). She married Léopold of Lorraine, Duke of Lorraine. Their descendants include Marie Antoinette, who was a famous Queen of France.
Later Years and Legacy
Elisabeth Charlotte lived a long life. She continued to write her letters until her death in 1722. She passed away at the Château de Saint Cloud in France. She was buried at the Basilica of Saint-Denis, a special burial place for French royalty.
Her letters remain her most important legacy. They offer a vivid and personal account of one of the most famous royal courts in history. They help us understand what life was like for a princess in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Images for kids
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Liselotte as a child of about 4 or 5 years, copper engraving by Johann Schweizer after Wallerant Vaillant.
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Heidelberg Castle by Gerrit Berckheyde, 1670.
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Elisabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine, around 1670–71.
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View of the Palais Royal, 1680.
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View of the Château de Saint-Cloud, around 1675.
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Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orléans, in hunting dress, by Elle the Elder, around 1683.
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Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orléans with her two surviving children. Copy by Jean-Gilbert Murat (1837) after an original by Pierre Mignard from around 1678–1679.
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Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orléans, by Pierre Mignard, 1675.
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Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orléans, by Pierre Mignard, 1678.
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Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orléans, with a Moorish page, by François de Troy, 1680.
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Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orléans, by André Bouys, 1700.
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Louis XIV receives the later King of Poland and Elector of Saxony Augustus III, by Louis de Silvestre, 1714. The lady between Augustus (in red) and the King is Liselotte.
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Elisabeth Charlotte, Duchesse d'Orléans. Posthumous portrait from the workshop of Hyacinthe Rigaud, 1723.
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Arms of alliance of Liselotte as Duchess of Orléans (Bourbon-Wittelsbach).
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See also
In Spanish: Isabel Carlota del Palatinado para niños
