Contesting the Throne of France: The Legitimists and their Claims

The concept of a pretender to the French throne, once a vital and contentious political issue during the reign of Louis XVI and the French Revolution, has lost much of its significance in modern times. However, in a re-examination of this traditional notion, we shall explore the ongoing claims of several pretenders to the French crown, highlighting the most prominent and their respective supporters.

Official End of the Monarchy

The French Revolution of 1789 marked the official end of monarchical rule in France, leading to the establishment of the First French Republic. The legitimate pretenders to the throne that followed the revolution are no longer acknowledged by the state. However, in certain circles of royalists and supporters, the idea of reclaiming the historical monarchical status remains strong.

Prince Jean de Bourbon and His Rivals

A notable contender is Prince Jean de Bourbon, who, if still alive, could potentially lay claim to the throne. Being a member of the Bourbon family, which ruled France before the revolution, Jean de Bourbon carries a considerable lineage. His Royal style is Monseigneur le Prince Jean de France, and if he were to claim the throne today, he would be around 78-80 years old, depending on his current age.

Modern Claims: The Tricolor Pretenders

There are currently three living pretenders to the French throne with more contemporary roots:

Each of these claimants represents a distinct line within the broader French aristocratic families, and their claims are often debated and supported within specific royalist organizations and communities.

The Current Head of the House of France

According to the Almanac de Gotha, the current head of the House of France is Jean d'Orléans. Born in 1965, Jean is a prominent figure within this contemporary lineage. He is the great-great-great-grandson of King Louis Philippe I, who reigned from 1830 to 1848. Jean's claim is based on the historical succession laws, and he holds an MBA from Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles. His claim to the throne is supported by his family's historical lineage and his direct connection to one of the last kings of France.

Historical Context and Support

The claim of Jean d'Orléans is bolstered by his meeting with President Emmanuel Macron in 2019, highlighting his relevance and recognition in contemporary French politics.

Among other claimants, Louis Alphonse de Bourbon is recognized as a key figure by his supporters. He is the senior Spanish Bourbon by primogeniture and is descended from Louis XIV. This lineage makes him a more senior claimant than the Orleanist line, which is descended from Louis XIII. Despite the exclusion of the Bourbon line from the French succession by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, Louis Alphonse's supporters still view him as a legitimate pretender.

Interestingly, support for Louis Alphonse is not based on the traditional Legitimist movement but on the specific claimations detailed in the book Louis XX by Thierry Ardisson, published in 1986. The term "Legitimist" typically refers to the support for a line of claimants descended from Louis XV, including Louis XVIII and Charles X, but this term does not fully capture the complexity of Louis Alphonse's current claim.

Google Trends Insights

A search through Google Trends for the names of various claimants, including Jean d'Orléans, Louis Alphonse de Bourbon, Henri d'Orléans, and Charles Prince Napoleon, reveals that Louis Alphonse is the only French pretender with significant online interest. This indicates that he is the most recognized and discussed figure among the modern pretenders to the French throne.

Conclusion

The pretenders to the French throne, while historically significant, remain largely symbolic in the modern era. Various lines of the French royal families continue to assert their claims, each with its own narrative and support. The current claim of Jean d'Orléans is backed by historical lineage and contemporary recognition, making him a significant figure in the ongoing discussion about the legitimacy of French pretenders.