An interesting story of the Duke in women's attire (8 photos)

Anne of Austria and Louis XIII after more than 20 years of marriage no longer hoped to become parents. When in 1637 the queen nevertheless became pregnant and gave birth to a boy, then his name was none other than "god the".

A year later, the second was born - Philippe d'Orleans.





Queen Anne doted on her sons. Senior must was to ascend the throne, but the youngest was her joy and outlet, whom she pampered, dressed him up, played with him more than with older, as if wanting to compensate for the fact that he will always be second.



Anne of Austria and Louis XIII

The brothers had a bad relationship. Louis was brought up in full awareness of his greatness, but Philip always had to be on secondary roles and in everything to obey his older brother. No wonder he often expressed his dissatisfaction with what was happening.



Louis XIV

Philip was very fond of spending his free time with women. Delicate, sophisticated, beautiful and refined. The boy was spoiled, constantly gave him all sorts of toys, shiny jewelry, ribbons. And over the years Louis XIV continued to give gifts to his brother so that he behaved quietly and did not conspire. Interestingly, Louis XIV is highly certified the military abilities of Philip, because he was a born commander.



Philippe d'Orleans

Philippe d'Orleans married in 1661 (or rather, that he was married) to the English princess Henrietta, who grew up together with crowned brothers. Philip didn't mind, but Henrietta liked it. more Louis.

The marriage was unusual. Both of them understood their roles, but Henrietta offended and insulted the too tender relations of the husband with his friends, which made their way to his chambers in women's dresses, so that no one would suspect something is wrong. She was most annoyed by the Chevalier Philippe de Lorrain-Armagnac, which increasingly influenced Philip. He controlled the household of the spouses, their expenses, selected servants and without it, even an ordinary dress could not be ordered.



Chevalier de Lorrain

Philip, by the way, did not trust his wife and claimed that he did not knows who the real father of her children is. And boldly hinted that it could be the king himself.

Chevalier was in an advantageous position in his intrigues than Henrietta. And in the end he won - while still a young woman, Philip's wife died (contemporaries believed that she was poisoned).

The duke needed to pick up a new wife and his opinion in general no one was interested: the king knew perfectly well that his brother was nicer chevalier society.



Charlotte of the Palatinate

But a wife was needed, and Charlotte of the Palatinate, although she was not beautiful, but possessed a logical, tenacious, masculine mind. Everything that happens she assessed quickly and sensibly, realizing which strategy of behavior is better elect. In her letters, she described preferences in some detail. her husband and on this score she had no illusions.



Philip I

It is noteworthy that this did not prevent them from having children. TO unfortunately, the first-born died shortly after birth, but Philip II grew up such a wonderful man that Louis XIV frankly admitted that regrets that this is not his son. Philip II entered French history Prince Regent (temporary ruler of the state instead of the monarch).



Philip II