The Infanta Marie-Anne-Victoire, the little fiancée of Louis XV

Infanta Marie-Anne-Victoire (1718-1781) was the daughter of Philip V of Spain and his second wife Elizabeth Farnese. She was engaged to her first cousin, Louis XV, eight years her senior. Raised at the French court, she received all the honors of a queen. But in February 1725, following the king's illness - which showed the urgency of marrying him - she was sent back to Madrid. Marie-Anne-Victoire is little known in France. The diarists have certainly recounted the festivities relating to his entry into Paris, but there are few accounts of his personality and his daily life at court. This silence is partly explained by the lack of interest in early childhood in early 18th-century society. The existence of the Infanta came out of oblivion thanks to the novel by Chantal Thomas, The Exchange of Princesses, in 2013 and the eponymous film by Marc Dugain in 2017. The exhibition “Louis XV, tastes and Passions of a King", presented at the Palace of Versailles from October 18, 2022, to February 19, 2023, gives us the opportunity to look back on the thwarted destiny of this princess.

By Marine Masure-Vetter, documentary studies officer at the Palace of Versailles

In February 1720, Spain joined the Quadruple Alliance formed by England, France, the United Provinces, and the Empire, thus guaranteeing relative peace in Europe. From then on, the enmity between Philip V and the Regent Philippe of Orléans dissipated in favor of new agreements. The Regent, advised by Cardinal Dubois, Minister of Foreign Affairs, pretended to give the King of Spain the initiative for a double matrimonial union. The Infanta Marie-Anne-Victoire (three years old) is promised to Louis XV (eleven years old). At the same time, Louis, prince of Asturias and heir to the throne (fourteen years old) must marry Louise-Élisabeth known as Miss de Montpensier (twelve years old), daughter of the Regent. A third union was initiated in March 1722 between Don Carlos (six years old) and Philippine-Élisabeth d'Orléans known as Miss de Beaujolais (eight years old).

Negotiations and travel to France

On September 14, 1721, the Regent entered the King's cabinet at the Tuileries to reveal this project to him, in the presence of the Duke of Bourbon (king's superintendent of education), André-Hercule de Fleury (king's tutor) and Marshal de Villeroy (governor of the king). At the end of a painful debate behind closed doors, the young boy resigns, accepts, and announces the news during the Regency Council which opens immediately, with eyes still swollen with tears. The rumor spread throughout Paris but, to keep things calm, only the planned union between the infanta and the king was initially announced. By elevating his daughter to the rank of future queen of Spain and postponing for many years the birth of an heir apparent in France, the Regent is the big winner of this alliance which is not unanimous. The Duke of Noailles, who predicted to the Princess of Carignan that the “marriage of the Infanta will end like the system of Law” is removed from the court.

The Duke of Saint-Simon leaves for Madrid, as an extraordinary ambassador, to ask for the hand of the Infanta. On December 14, 1721, the young princess left her parents. Louis XV, undoubtedly more interested in geography than in his bride, follows the route taken by the Infanta between Madrid and Irun on a large map created especially for this purpose. For her part, Mademoiselle de Montpensier left Paris on November 18, 1721. The princesses traveled in the middle of winter. On January 9, 1722, at noon, the princesses were exchanged on the island of Pheasants, attempting to reproduce the ceremonial that had been used for Queen Marie-Thérèse in 1661. According to custom, they were separated from their suites during their passage through the middle of Bidasoa. Marie-Anne-Victoire is deprived of her domesticity, with the exception of her Spanish governess Doña Maria de Nieves.

The festivities of the Infanta’s entry into Paris

In Paris, preparations for the arrival of the Infanta disrupt Lent. We only think about dancing and celebrating. The king, uncomfortable and "as red as a cherry", welcomed his fiancée to Bourg-la-Reine on March 2, 1722. According to tradition, she entered the capital alone. The crowd discovers the little princess standing in her carriage on the knees of her governess, Madame de Ventadour. Official balls are given at the Tuileries and at the Hôtel de Ville. A Te Deum is sung at Notre-Dame where the king is superbly dressed in a lilac velvet habit, covered with stones. On the shoulder knot, he wears the large Régent diamond purchased by the Crown in 1717 and the Sancy adorns his hat. Despite the brilliance of the finery, we find that the king has a very bad face and that he is very pale, it is claimed that he does not love his little infanta and all these celebrations upset him. The teenager is aware that, through this union, he remains dependent on the Duke of Orléans for many years to come. Cynically analyzing his situation, he remarks to the young Duke of Boufflers who has just married: “I also currently have a wife, but I will not be able to sleep with her for long. » For her part, the little princess does her best to fulfill her obligations and please her king. Her title “Infante Queen” underlines the unique place she occupies at court. The Duke of Saint-Simon, punctilious on questions of Etiquette, comments on his rank thus: “The Infanta was a daughter of France as the daughter of the King of Spain, and first cousin of the King, children of the two brothers (1), and destined to marry him. These titles carried enough honor to stick to them, without adding almost all those of the queens, which she should not have, and which were against all examples and all rules. » The high point of the festivities of this “entrance” is given on March 24 by the Duke of Ossone, ambassador of the King of Spain during a nighttime party on the Seine.

“I have the prettiest things in the world.”

In March 1722, the king remained lodged at the Tuileries. His fiancée narrowly escaped the austere recommendations of the Duke of Saint-Simon who wanted to send him to Val-de-Grâce, advocating: “no horses, no carriages, no guards, no anything; once or twice a year a quarter-hour visit from the king. » The Infanta and her suite are installed at the Louvre, in the summer apartment formerly occupied by Anne of Austria, on the ground floor of the Petite Galerie. Until the Revolution, this building of the Petite Galerie retained its name: “Pavilion of the Infanta”. The Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, installed in these places since 1692, was forced to vacate them on November 22, 1721. New arrangements and decorations were made. The new garden created then still retains the name “Garden of the Infanta” today. The furniture in the apartment thus renovated was delivered on February 21, 1722, it is covered in crimson damask, and decorated with gold trimmings. Magnificent chapel silverware, engraved with the arms of France and Spain, is delivered as well as silver tableware. Two vermeil ceremonial toilets, of rare magnificence, are provided. One dating from the reign of Louis “a basin in the shape of a nave chiseled with eggs and ornaments having at each end a head in relief, representing a wind and two shells on their sides” similar to that of the Duchess of Orléans currently kept at the Louvre Museum (2).

The installation of the princess has barely been completed when there is already talk of an upcoming move of the court to Versailles.

Louis XV settled on June 15, 1722, in the castle of his great-grandfather and installed the Infanta there two days later, in the Queen's apartment. To protect it from the cold and harsh winds, the Versailles concierge had “doormat” curtains (3) hung at the bottom of the windows. The study of the Journal du Garde-Meuble proves the attention paid to the care, education and entertainment of the king's little bride. Its furnishings are adapted to her child's size, thus a "small staircase of fir wood in the form of a step, covered with red damask" is placed in the queen's bedroom to help "Madame Infante, to climb on one's bed", likewise, a small footstool is placed in "the niche of the chapel gallery". On July 16, 1722, the furnishings of his apartment were completed with two chests of drawers and a small walnut table with a drawer and a shelf, probably for use during his study times. A gold and vermeil service is provided for “strolling snacks”. A cherry wood table covered with green velvet is intended for her game of biribi and an oak billiard table is made for her.

Marie-Anne-Victoire assures her parents that she has “the prettiest things in the world”. She adds: “I don’t miss the dolls, I wish you could see their pretty furnishings. » Indeed, the king gave him one worth 20,000 pounds and the Duchess of Orléans another with her wardrobe worth 22,000 pounds. She also has a carriage to travel through the apartments of Versailles. Note that her father endowed her with a sumptuous trousseau made up of numerous jewels including "a large clasp in the shape of a large heart, made up of twenty-nine brilliant diamonds"... and a rich wardrobe filled with new wedding clothes. court, six dressing gowns, four hunting clothes, and "combing" dresses, completed with a multitude of satin petticoats, mantillas and mantles, pieces of fabric, stockings matching the clothes, shoes, various shirts, handkerchiefs, ribbons in gold, and silver, silk…. Finally, from her future husband, she received diamond jewelry estimated at 155,439 pounds. Philip V continued to send gifts to his daughter, such as this raw gold ingot from the Spanish Empire, which was addressed to him in 1724.

His House at the Court of France

The “House” of the Infanta, that is to say, her close entourage, is made up of holders who had a charge with the young Louis XV before he passed “under the hand of men” at the age of seven years old. This is the case of Charlotte-Éléonore de la Mothe-Houdancourt, Duchess of Ventadour, governess of the children of France, who is returning to service. Mrs. de la Lande and Mrs. de Villefort, assistant governesses, return to their same jobs. As for Marie-Madeleine Mercier (who had been the king's nurse) she became the first maid. According to the State of France of 1722, we note that the princess had twenty-two chambermaids, a washerwoman, and a starcher. This staff notably requires the delivery of forty-eight pairs of sheets for the chambermaids, four pairs of Dutch linen sheets for the assistant governesses, or even twelve aprons for the hairdresser during the installation of the courtyard. Versailles. Among the "ordinary officers", we note the presence of a cabinet secretary, a teacher (M. Perrot, who had the same job as the king), an intendant, a first doctor, a first surgeon, an apothecary, a dancing master, a writing master... It is difficult to count all the holders since officers of the King's Household "also serve at Madame Infante ".

Education and entertainment

The little princess spends her time between education and entertainment. She already knows French well, she is learning the alphabet and writing lessons are planned. She studies geography and strives to play the little queen perfectly. Addressing the ambassadors returning from the coronation in 1722, she declared: “I will speak to you on three points: the first, that I am very pleased to see you, the second, that I will be more pleased to see the King; the third, that I will do everything I can to please him and deserve his friendship. A few days before, she had heard a three-point sermon which gave her this idea. »

Various visits occupy his days. The infanta was taken to the Hôtel de la Monnaie where she saw medals being minted relating to her entry. She goes to the Saint-Cyr House of Education where she serves the young ladies at supper. It is taken to Madrid Castle “because of the name.” At the Château de la Muette, the activities were varied: lunches in the presence of courtiers, bird watching, learning how to milk cows and beat butter... At the Château de Saint-Cloud, she regularly visited Princess Palatine. The evenings are occupied with card games (quadrille, lansquenet, etc.) and lotteries are organized for her. The little princess doesn't like operas that are too long, fireworks bore her and she falls asleep at balls. Marie-Anne-Victoire appreciates Versailles. She writes: “The King entertains himself here wonderfully. Hunting keeps him very busy, for me when I don't go, I have a great time"; “Everything here delights me” she adds and Madame de Ventadour does not fail to show her in the apartments of the castle the portraits representing her father when he was still Duke of Anjou.

We do not know of any children of his age in his entourage, apart from the daughters of the Regent. Aware of her rank, the infanta does not hesitate to lead them, although she is younger than them. The day she entered Paris, greeting them at the end of the evening, she kissed them and said “Little princesses, go to your homes, and come with me every day” but Marie-Anne-Victoire sometimes suffers from the pranks of the lords who form the society of Louis XV, she cries every time she sees M. de Pezé, who had taken a joke too far by stealing her jewels.

She attended official receptions and took court dress from August 1722. However, she did not participate in the coronation of Louis XV in Reims (perhaps at the request of the king).

“The king does not love his little Infanta”

The king appears sullen in his presence. Would he be upset to have to share the cheers with this child who charms everyone, even winning the affection of “Maman Ventadour”? The king's silence is mixed with indifference. He is made to believe that silence is a sign of affection for him. This is why the Infanta said to Marshal de Villeroy: “The king must like you because he says nothing to you. »

When the princess fell ill on December 28, 1723, there was fear of smallpox which was in fact only measles but which allowed the king to spend the end of the year in Trianon and Marly, far from his fiancée.

Diplomatic reversals

The Duke of Bourbon, clan chief of the Condés, became principal minister upon the death of his rival the Regent. He therefore plans to unravel the alliances of 1721-1722. In Spain too the situation has evolved. Philip V abdicated in favor of his sixteen-year-old son the Prince of Asturias. Having ascended the throne under the name of Louis I, the young king died of smallpox on August 31, 1724. The decision to send the little infanta back to Spain, where Philip V reigned again, was taken during the winter of 1724 but the project remains confidential. The situation changed in February 1725 following a minor illness of the king where the Duke of Bourbon measured the risk of seeing the Orléans clan recover the crown if Louis XV were to die childless. The age of the infanta becomes a problem that must be resolved as quickly as possible by finding a queen who could give birth.

In France, we measure and accept the diplomatic incident which remains contained but we are surprised by the speed of the Spanish response. On March 9, 1725, Abbot de Livry, sent specially to Madrid, presented the news to the sovereigns who immediately broke off all relations with France. The widow of Louis I was immediately dismissed; his sister promised to Don Carlos also asked to leave. Negotiations were immediately conducted between Madrid and Lisbon to marry Marie-Anne-Victoire to Joseph, prince of Brazil, heir to the Portuguese throne, and reciprocally Ferdinand, prince of Asturias, to one of the daughters of John V of Portugal.

The departure of the Infanta

Marie-Anne-Victoire knows nothing. She calmly participated in the court's first stay at Fontainebleau from August 23 to November 30, 1724, and had a lot of fun there, particularly during the Italian comedies. No one tells the little girl the truth. To justify her trip to Madrid, they explain to her that her parents want to see her. Announced around March 17, 1725, the Infanta’s departure took place on April 5. The king cowardly absents himself from Marly and does not say goodbye. As for Madame de Ventadour, she excuses a trip that is too long for her age and stays in Versailles while holding back her tears. She leaves it to her granddaughter, the Duchess of Tallard, to take the princess back to Spain. A retinue of two hundred people accompanies them. To avoid the memory of her first trip, she crossed the border at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. On May 16, it was handed over to the envoys of Philip V who took care of recovering all the presents given to the princess: jewelry, silver toiletries... everything, down to the dolls!

Epilogue

As soon as Marie-Anne-Victoire was dismissed, the marriage of Louis XV to Marie Leszczyńska, daughter of the dethroned king of Poland, was announced. Public opinion is outraged by this misalliance and already regrets the little infanta.

The daughters of the Duke of Orléans return to live in Paris. The youngest, Philippine-Élisabeth, died at the age of twenty in 1734. Louise-Élisabeth, closely watched by the King of Spain who remotely controlled his "House", was condemned to live as a widow for the rest of her life. at the Luxembourg Palace until his death in 1742, at the age of thirty-three.

Marie-Anne-Victoire will indeed be queen. Philip V repaired the affront to France by celebrating, on January 19, 1729, the marriage of his daughter to the prince of Brazil, who became king of Portugal under the name of Joseph I in 1750. Mme de Ventadour would continue to write long letters to his little princess, who however very quickly stopped opening them. In Portugal, the latter will leave the memory of a sovereign with great qualities, passionate about music but devoid of a political role. In 1755, she was named godmother of Marie-Antoinette, future Queen of France.

Several sources consider that Marie-Anne-Victoire felt deep resentment towards France until her death. According to Jean-François de Bourgoing (secretary of the French delegation in Spain, who met her in 1778), she remembered the smallest details of her stay in Versailles. After fifty-five years, she remembered the statues in the garden, the paths in the park... as she could do the day after her departure.

1• The Duke of Anjou ascended the throne of Spain in 1700 under the name of Philippe V. He was the younger brother of the Duke of Burgundy (father of Louis XV), both grandsons of Louis XIV and son of Bottlenose Dolphin.

2• The author warmly thanks Yves Carlier for this information. See the forthcoming article, “The management of pageantry: goldsmithing within the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne in France in the 18th century” in proceedings of the international conference: The history of the Garde-Meuble in Europe (16th-21st century centuries). Paris, Mobilier national, October 16 to 18, 2019

3• “A sort of flat and quilted pallet, between two mattresses, which is placed in front of the windows, to guarantee a room from the sun. Put doormats in front of windows” (Dictionary of the French Academy, 2nd edition, 1718, p. 190).

Moral and physical portrait

We have a few testimonies on the moral and physical portrait of the Infanta. The Duke of Saint-Simon briefly portrayed her when he met her in Madrid. She is “charming, with a reasonable and not embarrassed air”. In March 1722, Le Mercure described her in flattering terms: “She is lively and speaks French very well and with a confident voice, her face is very graceful; all her features are as regular as they are fine and delicate, she is blond and extremely white. » To know her better, you must read the correspondence of Princess Palatine: “[the Infanta]charms all of France with her wit, her grace, and her pretty manners. […] Our little Infanta is without a doubt the prettiest child I have seen in my days. She has more wit than a person of twenty, and with that, she retains the childhood of her age: it makes a very pleasant mixture..." Playing with a doll resembling a small dolphin, she admits mischievously to Princess Palatine: “I tell everyone that this doll is my son, but to you, Madam, I want to say that it is only a wax child. »

Three portraits

Three portraits of the Infanta, by the painter Alexis-Simon Belle, are kept at the Palace of Versailles. One was made around 1723. Marie-Anne-Victoire appears there as a little chubby girl, leaning on a pool in the gardens of Versailles in front of the kidnapping of Proserpine de Girardon. The second was commissioned from the artist by the direction of the King's Buildings, in 1724. Initially rectangular in shape, the composition nevertheless retains its three characters: the king is represented in front of the medallion of the infanta at the bottom of which is a Cupid holding a palette, recalling that wedding plans gave rise to exchanges of portraits. This work should be compared with the double portrait produced in 1723 by Jean-François de Troy, kept at the Pitti Palace in Florence (presented in the exhibition “Louis XV, passions of a king”). The third portrait of the Infanta was executed before April 5, 1725, the date of her return to Spain. She is presented standing, dressed in a blue dress decorated with a silver braid and a crown of flowers in her hand. This representation should be compared with the portrait made by Nicolas de Largillière, kept at the Prado Museum in Madrid (also presented in the exhibition).