Louise Hippolyte of Monaco

Princesses Consort of Monaco – Marie of Lorraine

Marie of Lorraine was born on 12 August 1674 as the daughter of Louis de Lorraine, Count d’Armagnac and Catherine de Neufville. Her marriage to the future Antonio I, Prince of Monaco was quite surprising, considering her meagre dowry. Marie was described as “high-spirited, with a love for balls and fêtes, an unusual flair, a scandalously low neckline, lively [read more]

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Laura Martinozzi

Mary of Modena – The Catholic Threat

Mary of Modena or Maria Beatrice d’Este was born on 5 October 1658 as the daughter of Alfonso IV, Duke of Modena, and his wife, Laura Martinozzi. Her younger brother succeeded to the duchy upon their father’s death in 1662. He was just two, Mary just four. She received an excellent education and spoke French and Italian fluently. [read more]

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Maria Luisa of Spain

Empress Maria Theresa’s third son – Leopold II: Grand Duke and Emperor

The future Emperor Leopold II was born on 5 May 1747 in Vienna as the third son of Empress Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen. As the third son, he was not expected to rule one day, and he was at first educated for the priesthood. However, his studies seemed to have influenced him against the [read more]