Catherine Charlotte de Gramont
Catherine Charlotte de Gramont | |
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Antoine de Gramont | |
Mother | Françoise Marguerite du Plessis |
Catherine Charlotte de Gramont (1639 – 4 June 1678) was
Life
Early life
Catherine Charlotte de
Catherine Charlotte was educated in a fashionable convent school, the Visitation Faubourg Saint Jacques in Paris, where many daughters of the aristocracy were educated. She was described as a sophisticated, vivacious, strong-willed beauty.[1] She fell mutually in love with her cousin, Antonin Nompar, marquis de Puyguilleim, and when her father refused his permission for them to marry, they became lovers all the same.[1]
Duchess of Valentinois
In March 1660 at the Chateau de Gramont, Catherine married Louis de Grimaldi, the second Duke of Valentinois and heir to the throne of Monaco, who was described as "a glorious and avaricious Italian". They had six children.
The marriage was arranged to strengthen the alliance between Monaco and France against Spain by forging a connection between the Princely House of Monaco and a member of the French high nobility, which could provide valuable connections to the French court.[1] Catherine Charlotte's family connections fit this description, Louis was impressed by her beauty, and the French monarch gave his consent.[1] Catherine Charlotte herself was convinced because her lover refused to elope with her, she was older than most noblewomen when they married, and that her marriage would give her a high rank at the French royal court, which she would not have to leave, at least not until her husband became Prince of Monaco.[1] After marriage, the couple resided in Paris and regularly attended the French court, and Catherine Charlotte continued her relationship with her cousin.
Princess of Monaco
In 1662, she became Princess of Monaco when her husband succeeded to the throne. Catherine Charlotte was forced to accompany him to Monaco against her will, but
In 1665, the Prince and Princess of Monaco returned to the French royal court, where Catherine Charlotte was appointed lady-in-waiting to
Henrietta encouraged Catherine Charlotte to have an affair with the king to attract him away from his mistress,
In 1668, Catherine Charlotte had a love affair with Philippe, Chevalier de Lorraine, lover of the king's brother and Henrietta's husband Philippe I, Duke of Orléans.[1] Henrietta regarded Lorraine to be her mortal enemy and was deeply offended by the affair, and successfully asked the king to exile Catherine Charlotte from court.[1] At the same time, Catherine Charlotte's long-time lover Puyguilleim married.[1] She returned to Monaco, where she lived a quiet life and remained for four years.
In 1672, Catherine Charlotte was able to return to Paris when she was offered a position as lady-in-waiting to the king's mistress, Madame de Montespan. Her employment ended the following year, but she was given her own house in Paris, where she was able to stay. During the following years, however, she fell ill with a progressive cancer.[1]
Catherine Charlotte died in Paris on 4 June 1678, aged 39.
Issue
- Antoine Grimaldi (25 January 1661 – 20 January 1731) Prince of Monaco, married Marie of Lorraine.
- Maria Teresa Carlotta Grimaldi (14 January 1662 – 1738), died unmarried.
- Giovanna Maria Devota Grimaldi (14 January 1662 – 21 April 1741), twin of Maria Teresa, a nun in San Remo.
- Teresa Maria Aurelia Grimaldi (20 May 1663 – 15 February 1675), Mademoiselle des Baux.
- Anna Ippòlita Grimaldi (26 July 1664 – 23 July 1700), married Jacques de Crussol (1675–1739) Duke of Uzès.
- Francesco Onorato Grimaldi (31 December 1669 – 18 February 1748), Archbishop of Besançon.
- Amelia Grimaldi (ca. 1675 – died young).
Ancestors
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