Philippe II, Duke of Orléans

Life & Legacy

Philippe, Duke of Orléans (Philippe Charles; 2 August 1674 – 2 December 1723), known as the Regent, was a French prince, soldier, and statesman who served as Regent of the Kingdom of France from 1715 to 1723. He is referred to in French as le Régent. He was the son of Philippe I, Duke of Orleans, and Elisabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate. Born at his father's palace at Saint-Cloud, he was known from birth by the title of Duke of Chartres.
In 1692, Philippe married his first cousin Françoise Marie de Bourbon, the youngest legitimised daughter (légitimée de France) of King Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan. Named regent of France during the minority of Louis XV, his great-nephew and first cousin twice removed, the period of his de facto rule was known as the Regency (French: la Régence) (1715 - 1723). The Regency came to an end in February 1723, and the Duke of Orléans died at Versailles in December.