Catherine Charlotte de Gramont
Catherine Charlotte de Gramont (* 1638, † June 4, 1678 at the Palais Royal in Paris) was by marriage Princess of Monaco and Duchess de Valentinois, and mistress of the French King Louis XIV.
Life
Catherine Charlotte was the daughter of Duke Antoine III de Gramont Toulongeon, duc de Gramont (1604-1678) and his niece and wife Françoise Marguerite du Plessis de Chivre (1608-1689), daughter of Hector de Chivre, seigneur du Plessis. Her father was one of the most influential courtiers of the French court, and was Marshal of France, and Viceroy of Navarre and Béarn and governor of Bayonne since 1641. Her brother was Armand de Gramont, Comte de Guiche.
Catherine Charlotte had inherited the mind and the charm of her father. 1660 she married in Paris Louis Grimaldi, 2nd Prince of Monaco ( 1642-1701 ), grandson of Honoré II Grimaldi, 1st Prince of Monaco. He was the Duke of Valentinois and the godson of Louis XIV and Anne of Austria. Due to some intrigues the ducal couple were temporarily punished by disgrace and was then in Monaco down. After the death of his grandfather († 1662) took the Duke de Valentinois the name " Louis I. ". The royal couple was again summoned to the French court. Catherine Charlotte, the Upper Warden of the House of Henrietta of England, Duchess of Orléans. She was beautiful and flirtatious and attracted many courtiers who were courting her. Among other things, François de Neufville, duc de Villeroy, Antoine de Nompar Caumont, duc de Lauzun, Philippe I de Bourbon, duc d' Orléans, and it was even said, even the king. The by his wife very disappointed Louis I. went to the army, and came there to glory.
From their marriage six children were born:
- Antoine I. (1661-1731) ∞ Princess Mary of Lorraine
- Anne (1667-1700)
- Francesco (1669-1748)
- Terese (1700-1738)
- Johanna († early)
- Aurelia († early)
Trivia
1675 commissioned Catherine Charlotte de Gramont to build a church in Monaco, now the Musée de la Chapelle de la Visitation is called.