| Françoise Madeleine d'Orléans | |
|---|---|
| Duchess consort of Savoy | |
| Tenure | 4 March 1663 – 14 January 1664 |
| Born | (1648-10-13)13 October 1648 Saint Germain en Laye,France |
| Died | 14 January 1664(1664-01-14) (aged 15) Royal Palace of Turin,Savoy |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | Charles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy |
| House | Orléans |
| Father | Gaston d'Orléans |
| Mother | Marguerite of Lorraine |
Françoise Madeleine d'Orléans (13 October 1648 – 14 January 1664) was born aPrincess of France and was theDuchess of Savoy as the first wife ofCharles Emmanuel II.[1] She was the first cousin ofLouis XIV as well as of her husband. She was the shortest-servingSavoyard consort, dying at the age of 15.

Françoise Madeleine was born at theChâteau de Saint Germain en Laye outsideParis in 1648. She was the youngest surviving daughter ofGaston d'Orléans and his second wifeMarguerite of Lorraine. From birth, she was styledMademoiselle de Valois, derived from one of her father's subsidiary titles. She was the favourite sister ofLa Grande Mademoiselle, the famous heiress.[2] She grew up in the company of her sisters andMademoiselle de La Vallière, future mistress of Louis XIV. She resided at theChâteau de Blois. Her father died in 1660 and her mother remained unmarried.
As French court etiquette dictated, she held the status of a Granddaughter of France as a male line descendant of the late kingHenry IV of France. She was styled as apetite-fille de France.
Under the influence of her paternal auntChristine Marie, Dowager Duchess of Savoy, she was engaged to her first cousinCharles Emmanuel II, Duke of Savoy.[1][3] Christine Marie had chosen her as she had wanted to maintain her power and influence in government having previously been regent for her son since 1637. The match was approved of byCardinal Mazarin who had previously rejectedMarie Jeanne of Savoy, another candidate for Charles Emmanuel II.[3] Françoise Madeleine proved suitably docile and was chosen over Marie Jeanne.[4]
Françoise Madeleine married theDuke of Savoy byproxy at thePalais du Louvre on 4 March 1663. The couple met for the first time atAnnecy on 3 April 1663 where they were married officially.[5][3] The couple travelled toTurin, capital of Savoy, where they arrived on 15 June 1663. She was known asFrancesca Maddalena d'Orléans in her adopted Savoy.
The Duchess soon died on 14 Jan 1664 at theRoyal Palace of Turin, leaving her husband without an heir.[6] She was buried atTurin Cathedral where she rests today. Her husband, inconsolable at her death, ordered a lavish funeral. After Françoise Madeleine's death, Louis XIV tried to engageLa Grande Mademoiselle to Charles Emmanuel II, who refused the match.[1] He later married again toMarie Jeanne of Savoy, by whom he had a son.[7]
Media related toFrançoise Madeleine d'Orléans at Wikimedia Commons
Françoise Madeleine d'Orléans Cadet branch of theHouse of Bourbon Born: 13 October 1648 Died: 14 January 1664 | ||
| Italian royalty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vacant Title last held by Christine of France | Duchess consort of Savoy 4 March 1663 – 14 January 1664 | Vacant Title next held by Marie Jeanne of Savoy |
| Titles in pretence | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Christine of France | Queen consort of Cyprus 4 March 1663 – 14 January 1664 | Vacant Title next held by Marie Jeanne of Savoy |