Descendants of French Royalty and Nobility Living Today

France, a country with a rich history of royalty and nobility, has numerous descendants of its once-great families still active today. Though the nation officially became a republic in 1792, many noble families have retained their titles and continue to play a significant role in French society. This article delves into the status and roles of various descendants of French royalty and noble families.

The Legitimists and the Bourbon Dynasty

The Legitimists are royalists who adhere to the rights of dynastic succession to the French crown, claiming descent from the eldest branch of the Bourbon dynasty which was overthrown in the 1830 July Revolution. The current Legitimist pretender is Louis Alphonse Duke of Anjou, the senior great-grandson of Alphonso XIII of Spain through male primogeniture. He is a 7x great-grandson of Louis XIV, the Grand Dauphin of France. His lineage is steeped in the history of France, and his claim is supported by many royalists.

House of Bourbon: Current Head

One notable descendant of the House of Bourbon is Louis Alphonse de Bourbon, who is believed to be the current head of the House. Louis Alphonse is the senior great-grandson of Alphonso XIII of Spain and a 4x great-grandson of Louis XIV, the Grand Dauphin of France. While France has been a republic for nearly 150 years, the Bourbon lineage continues to hold interests in various cultural and philanthropic activities.

The Orléans Cadet Branch

The House of Orléans, a cadet branch of the Bourbon dynasty, is another prominent line of French nobility. Jean Carl Pierre Marie d'Orléans, born in 1965, is currently the head of the House of Orléans. He is the senior male descendant by primogeniture in the male line of Louis-Philippe I, King of the French, thus asserting his claim as Jean IV. Most royalists in France are Orléanists, highlighting the importance of this branch in the country’s history and royalist movements.

Current Head of House of Orléans

Since the death of his father, Henri Count of Paris, in 2019, Jean Carl Pierre Marie d'Orléans has been using the style of Count of Paris. He is the 4x great-grandson of Louis Philippe I through his son Ferdinand Philippe, making him a direct connection to the French monarchy. His role in the royalist movement and involvement in cultural and political activities continue to keep the Orléans family relevant in French society.

The House of Bourbon-Orléans and Bonaparte

Another prominent family is the House of Bourbon-Orléans, founded by Philippe I of Orléans, who was younger son of Louis XIII and younger brother of Louis XIV. The current head of this lineage, Jean d'Orléans, is the Count of Paris and the senior male descendant of Louis-Philippe I. He is known as Jean IV by some Orléanist royalists.

The House of Bonaparte

The House of Bonaparte, originally known as the Buonaparte family, has a claim to the French throne. Jean-Christophe Prince Napoléon, born in 1986, is the current head of the former Imperial House of France and the disputed heir of Napoleon Bonaparte. He is the 4x great-grandson of Louis Philippe I through his daughter Louise of Orleans, demonstrating the family’s ongoing connection to French royalty.

Today, there are several members of each of these houses, all contributing to France's cultural and historical heritage. Several of these families also have a presence in various sectors such as arts, politics, and business, ensuring that the cultural legacy of French royalty and nobility remains vibrant and relevant.

Conclusion

France’s history of royalty and nobility is alive through the descendants of its once-great families. While France has been a republic for more than a century, the Bourbon, Orléans, and Bonaparte lines continue to play significant roles in French society. Whether through cultural events, philanthropic activities, or political involvement, these descendants of the French royal families maintain a strong connection to the past, ensuring that their legacy continues into the future.