Count of Paris (French:Comte de Paris) was a title for the localmagnate of the district aroundParis inCarolingian times. AfterHugh Capet was electedKing of the Franks in 987, the title merged into the crown and fell into disuse. However, it was later revived by theOrléanist pretenders to the French throne in an attempt to evoke the legacy of Capet andhis dynasty.
In 1838, during theJuly Monarchy, KingLouis-Philippe I granted the title to his newly born grandson,Philippe.[1] After Louis-Philippe abdicated during theFrench Revolution of 1848,Orléanist monarchists considered Philippe and his descendants to be the legitimate heirs to the throne. In 1870, at the beginning of theFrench Third Republic, Philippe and the Orléanists agreed to support thelegitimistpretender,Henri, Count of Chambord, but resumed Philippe's claims after Henri's death in 1883.
In 1929, Orléanist pretenderJean d'Orléans, Duke of Guise (1874-1940) granted the title "Count of Paris" to his only sonHenri d'Orléans (1908–1999), a courtesy title Henri retained until his death and under which he was best known. After him, the title has been adopted by his successors in capacity as the Orléanist pretender to the French throne.
The next in line is Jean's eldest son, Prince Gaston Louis Antoine Marie d’Orléans (born 2009).