Henrietta Anne and Philippe : Relationship Background Descendants of Philippe I, Duke of Orléans

princess henrietta-anne of england philippe s first wife

on 31 march 1661, married first cousin, princess henrietta of england, daughter of king charles of england, in chapel of palais-royal in paris. both grandchildren of henry iv of france , marie de medici. known @ court madame, henriette d angleterre (henrietta of england) or affectionately minette , famed beauty. philippe said have doted on henriette first year of marriage, relationship turned sour when allegedly began affair count of guiche , went on seek comfort others. philippe openly paraded mignons in front of wife , whole court. among them armand de gramont, count of guiche, known arrogance , looks, marquis de châtillon, , first lover philip julian mancini. meanwhile, henriette proved popular @ court pretty, good-natured princess, philippe s annoyance.

she attracted attention of king. in order hide attraction king s mother , wife, henriette , louis invented story in henriette s company in order close 1 of ladies-in-waiting, louise de la vallière. in time, louis indeed fell in love louise , made mistress.

reluctantly, , bitterly, henriette stepped aside. said have taken 1 of husband s earlier conquests, armand de gramont lover. caused sorts of arguments @ palais royal, orléans lived. despite marital dissension, several children born of union. however, henriette, known fragile , delicate health, had 4 miscarriages in space of 5 years. time of birth of anne marie, couple notorious frequency of quarrels @ court , @ home in palais-royal.after joining brother louis, queen, mademoiselle, madame de montespan , louise de la vallière @ military campaign in northern france, ducal couple returned saint-cloud. there duchess died @ age of twenty-six.

the death of duchess on 30 june 1670 popularly attributed poison. main suspects of alleged crime duke himself , chevalier de lorraine. although duke may not have been involved, enmity between minette , chevalier de lorraine not hidden truth. after autopsy performed, reported henrietta-anne had died of peritonitis caused ulcer. during marriage henriette-anne, philippe heard have said had loved fifteen days.