Louise of Orléans

Louise of Orléans (Louise-Marie Thérèse Charlotte Isabelle; 3 April 1812 – 11 October 1850) was a French princess who became the first Queen of the Belgians as the second wife of King Leopold I. She was also known as Louise-Marie.

For other people named Louise-Marie, see Louise-Marie.
Louise of Orléans
Portrait by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, c. 1844-5
Queen consort of the Belgians
Tenure9 August 1832 – 11 October 1850
Born(1812-04-03)3 April 1812
Palermo, Kingdom of Sicily
Died11 October 1850(1850-10-11) (aged 38)
Ostend, Kingdom of Belgium
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1832)​
Issue
Full name
Louise-Marie Thérèse Charlotte Isabelle
HouseOrléans
FatherLouis Philippe I
MotherMaria Amalia of the Two Sicilies
ReligionRoman Catholic
Signature

Life

Born in Palermo, Sicily, on 3 April 1812, she was the eldest daughter of the future Louis-Philippe I, King of the French, and of his wife Maria Amalia of the Two Sicilies. As a child, she had a religious and bourgeoisie education thanks to the part played by her mother and her aunt, Princess Adélaïde of Orléans to whom she was very close. As a member of the reigning House of Orléans she was entitled to the rank of a Princess of the Blood Royal.

Marriage

On 9 August 1832, the twenty-year-old Louise married King Leopold I of the Belgians, who was twenty-two years her senior. Leopold had been widowed by his wife, Princess Charlotte of Wales after her death in childbirth in 1817. Since Leopold was a Protestant, they had both a Catholic and a Calvinist ceremony.

Children
Portrait by Franz Xaver Winterhalter (1841). Currently at the Royal Collection.

Louise and Leopold had four children, including Leopold II of Belgium and Empress Carlota of Mexico. Although never faithful to Louise, Leopold respected her and their relationship was a harmonious one.

Louise was the 298th Dame of the Royal Order of Queen Maria Luisa on 10 February 1835. A devoted wife and loving mother, she was of a very shy nature and was often only seen in public when her husband forced her. She soon proved to be very popular at the Belgian court with her famous generosity and beauty.

Charity work

Every morning, Queen Louise-Marie received reports about some needy families. She then personally visited their homes to bring them comfort and financial aid. Sometimes Queen Louise-Marie did not have enough money for her charitable works and then borrowed money without telling her husband.

Death

Queen Louise-Marie died of tuberculosis in the former Royal palace of Ostend on 11 October 1850.[1] Her death was confirmed in record by ministers Charles Rogier and Victor Tesch. Her body was brought to Laeken, and a memorial was erected in Oostende. She is buried beside her husband in Royal Crypt of the Church of Our Lady of Laeken.

Honours

Arms
  • Alliance Coat of Arms of King Leopold I
    and Queen Louise
  • Royal Monogram of Queen Louise-Marie
    of Belgium

Ancestry

References
  1. King Leopold I, Monarchie.be, Retrieved 2 April 2016
  2. Bragança, Jose Vicente de (2014). "Agraciamentos Portugueses Aos Príncipes da Casa Saxe-Coburgo-Gota" [Portuguese Honours awarded to Princes of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha]. Pro Phalaris (in Portuguese). 9–10: 5. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  3. "Real orden de damas nobles de la Reina Maria Luisa", Calendario Manual y Guía de Forasteros en Madrid (in Spanish): 91, 1848, retrieved 20 April 2020

Further reading
  • (in French) Mia Kerckvoorde (2002). Louise d’Orléans, reine oubliée, 1812-1850. Paris: Duculot. ISBN 2-8011-0949-5.
  • (in French) Madeleine Lassère (2006). Louise, reine des Belges. 1812-1850. Paris: Perrin. ISBN 2-262-02366-2.
Louise of Orléans
Cadet branch of the House of Bourbon
Born: 3 April 1812 Died: 11 October 1850
Belgian royalty
New title Queen consort of the Belgians
1832–1850		 Vacant
Title next held by
Marie Henriette of Austria
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