Henrietta Anne of England (born June 16, 1644 – died June 30, 1670) was a princess of England. She was the youngest daughter of King Charles I of England and Queen Henrietta Maria.

As a baby, Henrietta had to leave England with her mother. They went to the court of her cousin, King Louis XIV of France. There, she was known by the nickname Minette.

Henrietta married her cousin, Philippe I, Duke of Orléans. This made her a fille de France, a special title for a French princess. Henrietta was very smart and played a key role in important talks between England and France. She helped create the Secret Treaty of Dover in June 1670. She died unexpectedly in the same month.

Early Life in England
Life and Marriage in France
- Marriage to Philippe I
- Secret Treaty of Dover
Death and Burial
Children
See also

Early Life in England

Henrietta was born on June 16, 1644, in Exeter, England. This was during the English Civil War. Her father was King Charles I of England. Her mother was Queen Henrietta Maria. Henrietta always had a close bond with her mother.

Before Henrietta was born, her mother had to leave Oxford for Exeter. Many people thought she might not survive the birth. After a difficult birth, Henrietta was cared for by Lady Dalkeith. For Henrietta's safety, her mother went to France. She hoped to get help for her husband's war efforts.

Henrietta recovered from an illness as a baby. On July 26, she met her father, King Charles I, for the first time. He ordered her to be baptized as an Anglican. She was baptized Henrietta at Exeter Cathedral on July 21. Henrietta was moved to Oatlands Palace near London. In June 1646, Lady Dalkeith helped Henrietta secretly escape to France. There, she was reunited with her mother.

Life and Marriage in France

In France, Henrietta was also called Anne, after her aunt, Queen Anne of Austria. She was known as Henrietta d'Angleterre. She and her mother lived at the Louvre Palace. They received money and could use the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. However, much of their money went to help her father or English exiles. During the Fronde, a civil war in France, Henrietta and her mother stayed at the Louvre.

In February 1649, Henrietta's mother learned that her husband, King Charles I, had been executed. After the Fronde ended, Henrietta and her mother moved to the Palais-Royal. They lived with the young King Louis XIV and his family. At this time, Queen Henrietta Maria decided to raise her daughter as a Catholic.

Marriage to Philippe I

The French court looked for a bride for King Louis XIV. Queen Henrietta Maria hoped Henrietta would marry Louis. But Queen Anne chose her own niece, Maria Theresa of Spain. Louis and Maria Theresa married in June 1660. After this, Queen Anne focused on her unmarried son, Philippe.

While staying at the Château de Colombes, Henrietta and her mother heard good news. The monarchy was restored in England under Henrietta's brother, Charles II of England. They returned to Paris. This change made Philippe, Louis XIV's brother, propose to Henrietta. Before this, Henrietta had received other marriage offers. But nothing came of them because she was an exile.

Philippe was eager to marry Henrietta quickly. But Queen Henrietta Maria wanted to go to England first. She needed to settle her debts and get a dowry for Henrietta. Henrietta was very sad when her brother, the Duke of Gloucester, died of smallpox in September 1660. In October, Henrietta and her mother traveled to Dover, England.

The French court officially asked for Henrietta's hand on November 22. Her dowry was agreed upon. Charles II gave his sister 840,000 livres and 20,000 more for other costs. She also received 40,000 livres each year and the Château de Montargis.

Henrietta's return to France was delayed. Her older sister, Mary, Princess of Orange, also died of smallpox. Henrietta finally left England in January 1661. She and Philippe signed their marriage contract on March 30, 1661. The wedding took place the next day. They moved into the Palais des Tuileries. As Philippe's wife, Henrietta was called Madame, la duchesse d'Orléans.

The marriage started well. Philippe seemed to be a loving husband. A year later, Henrietta gave birth to a daughter, Marie Louise. Their next child was a son born in July 1664. He was named Philippe Charles. He died in 1666 from convulsions. Henrietta was very sad about losing him. Another daughter, Anne Marie, was born in 1669.

Portrait of Henrietta holding a dog, possibly painted in 1665.

Henrietta was known as a cultured princess. She wrote letters to famous writers like Moliere and Racine. She loved gardening and created a water garden at the Palais-Royal. Henrietta also collected many important paintings.

In late 1669, Queen Henrietta Maria died. Henrietta was heartbroken. Philippe quickly tried to claim all of his mother-in-law's belongings.

Secret Treaty of Dover

Henrietta was very important in talks between England and France. Her brother, Charles II, was very close to her. He had given her the nickname Minette. Charles II wanted a closer relationship with France. In 1669, he said he would become a Catholic and bring England back to Catholicism.

Henrietta wanted to visit England. King Louis XIV encouraged her to go so the treaty could happen. Philippe did not want her to go. He complained to Charles II that she should stay in France. But Henrietta appealed to Louis XIV and managed to travel to England. She arrived in Dover on May 26, 1670. She stayed until June 1, the day the treaty was signed.

The treaty meant England would stop its alliance with Sweden and the Dutch Republic. Instead, England would help Louis XIV conquer the Dutch Republic. Louis claimed the Dutch Republic for his wife, Queen Maria Theresa. If they succeeded, England would get several profitable ports. This treaty was kept secret until 1830. Henrietta returned to France on June 18.

Death and Burial

In 1667, Henrietta started having severe pain in her side. In April 1670, she began having serious digestive problems. She could only drink milk. After returning from England, Henrietta went to stay at Saint-Cloud with her husband on June 26. On June 29, she drank a glass of iced chicory water. She immediately thought she had been poisoned. She asked for an antidote and for the water to be checked.

She was given common treatments for colic and anti-poisons. The royal family arrived within hours. Bishop Bossuet was called and gave her the last rites. At 2 AM on June 30, 1670, Henrietta died. Some people rumored that others had poisoned Henrietta. However, an autopsy was done. The official report said she died from "cholera morbus" (a type of gastroenteritis). Many observers disagreed. But experts today believe she died from peritonitis caused by a ruptured ulcer, not poison.

A painting of Henrietta by Peter Lely. It was ordered by her brother Charles II and is still in Exeter Guildhall.

Henrietta was buried at the Basilica of Saint-Denis on July 4. Another service was held on July 21. Many important people attended, including members of Parliament and the nobility. Queen Maria Theresa and the English ambassador were also there. Her funeral speech by Bishop Bossuet became very famous.

Her coffin was covered with gold cloth and embroidered with the arms of France and England. Hundreds of candles lit up the church. The Archbishop of Reims led the Mass, sung by the King's musicians.

Philippe married again in 1671 to Elisabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate. She was also related to Mary, Queen of Scots. Philippe and his new wife had two more children who survived.

Henrietta's oldest daughter, Marie Louise, died at age 26 in Spain in 1689. Her death was very similar to her mother's. Some also believed she was poisoned. Her youngest daughter, Anne Marie, married in 1684. She had eight children. Her oldest daughter, Maria Adélaïde, was the mother of Louis XV. Philippe himself died in 1701.

Henrietta's descendants include many important people today. These include the current king of Spain and the king of the Belgians.

Children

Henrietta's coat of arms as Duchess of Orléans.

Marie Louise d'Orléans (March 26, 1662 – February 12, 1689). She married Charles II of Spain but had no children.
Miscarriage (1663).
Philippe Charles d'Orléans, Duke of Valois (July 16, 1664 – December 8, 1666). He died as a baby.
Stillborn daughter (July 9, 1665).
Miscarriage (1666).
Miscarriage (1667).
Miscarriage (1668).
Anne Marie d'Orléans (August 27, 1669 – August 26, 1728). She married Victor Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy. He later became king of Sardinia. They had children.

Henrietta of England facts for kids

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