Philippe Égalité facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Philippe d'Orléans
Duke of Orléans
Born	(1747-04-13)13 April 1747 Château de Saint Cloud, Saint-Cloud, France
Died	6 November 1793(1793-11-06) (aged 46) Paris, France
Burial	Madeleine Cemetery, Paris
Spouse	Louise Marie Adélaïde de Bourbon
Issue	Louis Philippe I Antoine Philippe, Duke of Montpensier Adélaïde, Princess of Orléans Louis Charles, Count of Beaujolais
Full name Louis Philippe Joseph d'Orléans
House	House of Orléans
Father	Louis Philippe d'Orléans
Mother	Louise Henriette de Bourbon
Signature

Philippe d'Orléans (born Louis Philippe Joseph; 13 April 1747 – 6 November 1793) was an important member of the House of Orléans, a powerful royal family in France. He was also known as Philippe Égalité. He lived during the exciting and often dangerous time of the French Revolution.

Philippe supported the revolution, but he was still executed by guillotine during a period called the Reign of Terror. His son, Louis Philippe I, later became the King of the French in 1830. Philippe held the special title of Prince of the Blood, meaning he was very close to the main royal family.

Early Life and Family Role

Louis Philippe Joseph was born at the Château de Saint Cloud in France. His parents were Louis Philippe d'Orléans, Duke of Chartres, and Louise Henriette de Bourbon.

Becoming Duke of Orléans

In November 1785, after his father passed away, Philippe became the new Duke of Orléans. This made him the leader of the House of Orléans. This family was one of the richest in France.

As the Duke of Orléans, he was also known as the Premier Prince du Sang. This meant he was the most important person in the kingdom after the king's own immediate family. He was next in line to the throne if the main royal family line ended.

Philippe's Marriage and Children

On 6 June 1769, Louis Philippe married Louise Marie Adélaïde de Bourbon at the Palace of Versailles. Louise Marie Adélaïde brought a large dowry (money and property) to the already wealthy House of Orléans.

They had five children:

• Louis Philippe d'Orléans (6 October 1773 – 26 August 1850). He later became King Louis Philippe I of the French.
• Antoine Philippe d'Orléans, Duke of Montpelier (3 July 1775 – 18 May 1807).
• Adélaïde d'Orléans (23 August 1777 – 31 December 1847). She was later called a "Princess of Orléans."
• Françoise d'Orléans (1777–1782). She was Adélaïde's twin sister and died young.
• Louis Charles d'Orléans, Count of Beaujolais (17 October 1779 – 30 May 1808).

Military Service

In 1778, Philippe served in the navy as part of a squadron. He was involved in the Battle of Ushant. This was a naval battle against the British during the American War of Independence on 27 July 1778. After this, he left the navy. He was later given an honorary military position as a colonel-general of hussars.

Role in the French Revolution

Philippe d'Orléans played a debated role during the summer of 1789, when the French Revolution began. Some people at the royal court believed he was behind many popular uprisings. They thought his money, sometimes called the "gold of Orléans," caused events like the Réveillon riot and the storming of the Bastille.

Some also believed he purposely kept grain from the people of Paris. This was thought to be a reason for the "March on Versailles" on 5 October. During this event, a crowd marched to the royal palace. Some witnesses even claimed to see him with the crowd at Versailles.

The Marquis de La Fayette, another important figure, convinced the king to send Philippe to Britain. Philippe stayed in England from October 1789 to July 1790. When he returned, he took his place in the National Constituent Assembly. On 2 October, the Assembly officially said that he was not involved in the events of 5–6 October 1789.

Becoming Citoyen Égalité

Philippe d'Orléans tried to stay out of politics. However, the King still viewed him with suspicion. His supporters also pressured him to replace King Louis XVI. Philippe did not try to gain power after the King's flight to Varennes in June 1791.

In January 1792, Louis Philippe tried to make peace with the King, but his offer was refused. To show his support for democratic ideas, he changed his name to Philippe Citoyen Égalité. This means "Citizen Equality."

In the summer of 1792, he briefly joined the Army of the North with his two sons. He returned to Paris before the insurrection of 10 August.

During the Reign of Terror

After the monarchy fell, Philippe risked his own life to help people suspected by the revolutionary government. He saved the life of Louis René Quentin de Richebourg de Champcenetz, who was the governor of the Tuileries Palace and his personal enemy.

Philippe accepted the new title Citoyen Égalité given to him by the Commune. He was elected as a deputy for Paris to the National Convention. During the King's trial, he voted for the death sentence for Louis XVI. Many people in Paris thought Philippe was trying to take the crown for himself.

Because he was a member of the House of Bourbon, Louis Philippe was put on trial. He was tried and executed by guillotine on 6 November 1793. Reports from that time say he showed great courage during his imprisonment and execution.

Philippe d'Orléans was buried in the Madeleine cemetery in Paris. This cemetery was closed in 1794. Many others executed during the Terror, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, were also buried there. His remains have never been found.

Titles and Styles

• 13 April 1747 – 4 February 1752: His Most Serene Highness the Duke of Montpensier
• 4 February 1752 – 18 November 1785: His Most Serene Highness the Duke of Chartres
• 18 November 1785 – 6 November 1793: His Most Serene Highness the Duke of Orléans

Images for kids

• 

  Portrait of a young Louis Philippe Joseph d'Orléans, by Louis Tocqué.

• 

  Louise Marie Adélaïde as the Duchess of Chartres.

• 

  Louis Philippe d'Orléans with the symbols of the grand master of the Grand Orient de France, a French freemasonry group.

See also

In Spanish: Luis Felipe II de Orleans para niños