Françoise Madeleine d'Orléans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Françoise Madeleine d'Orléans |
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| Duchess consort of Savoy | |
| Tenure | 4 March 1663 – 14 January 1664 |
| Born | 13 October 1648 Saint Germain en Laye, France |
| Died | 14 January 1664 (aged 15) Royal Palace of Turin, Savoy |
| Burial | Turin Cathedral |
| Spouse | Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy |
| House | Orléans |
| Father | Gaston d'Orléans |
| Mother | Marguerite of Lorraine |
Françoise Madeleine d'Orléans (born October 13, 1648 – died January 14, 1664) was a French princess. She became the Duchess of Savoy when she married Charles Emmanuel II. She was a first cousin to King Louis XIV of France and also to her husband. Sadly, she died very young, at just fifteen years old, and did not have any children. She was the Duchess of Savoy for the shortest time compared to other duchesses.
Early Life and Royal Family
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Françoise Madeleine was born at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a royal castle near Paris, in 1648. She was the youngest daughter of Gaston, Duke of Orléans, and his second wife, Marguerite of Lorraine. Her father was a brother of the previous king, Louis XIII.
From birth, she was known as Mademoiselle de Valois. She was a favorite sister of La Grande Mademoiselle, a very famous and wealthy princess. Françoise Madeleine grew up with her sisters and Louise de La Vallière, who later became a mistress of King Louis XIV. She lived at the Château of Blois. Her father passed away in 1660.
Because her father was a son of a king, Françoise Madeleine was considered a "Granddaughter of France." This was a special title for royal family members.
Marriage and Life as Duchess
Françoise Madeleine was engaged to her first cousin, Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy. This marriage was suggested by her paternal aunt, Christine of France. Christine Marie was the Dowager Duchess of Savoy, meaning she was the previous duke's wife and had been in charge of the government since 1637. She wanted to keep her power and influence.
The marriage was approved by Cardinal Mazarin, a powerful French minister. He chose Françoise Madeleine because she was seen as easy to get along with. Another possible bride, Marie Jeanne Baptiste of Savoy-Nemours, was not chosen.
Françoise Madeleine married the Duke of Savoy in a proxy marriage at the Louvre Palace in Paris on March 4, 1663. This means someone stood in for the Duke during the ceremony. The couple met for the first time in Annecy on April 3, 1663, where they had their official wedding. They then traveled to Turin, the capital of Savoy, arriving on June 15, 1663. In Savoy, she was known as Francesca Maddalena d'Orléans.
Early Death
Sadly, the Duchess died very soon after her marriage, on January 14, 1664, at the Royal Palace of Turin. She was only fifteen years old and had no children. She was buried at Turin Cathedral, where her remains are today. Her husband, Charles Emmanuel II, was very sad about her death and arranged a grand funeral for her.
After Françoise Madeleine's death, King Louis XIV tried to arrange a marriage between La Grande Mademoiselle and Charles Emmanuel II, but he refused. Charles Emmanuel II later married Marie Jeanne Baptiste of Savoy-Nemours, and they had a son together.
See also
In Spanish: Francisca Magdalena de Orleans para niños
