Louis Philippe I

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Lore & Background

Louis Philippe was the eldest son of Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans (later known as Philippe Égalité). As Duke of Chartres, he distinguished himself commanding troops during the French Revolutionary Wars and was promoted to lieutenant general by the age of 19, but broke with the First French Republic over its decision to execute King Louis XVI. He fled to Switzerland in 1793 after being connected with a plot to restore France's monarchy. His father fell under suspicion and was executed during the Reign of Terror. Louis Philippe remained in exile for 21 years until the Bourbon Restoration. He was proclaimed king in 1830 after his distant cousin Charles X was forced to abdicate by the July Revolution. The reign of Louis Philippe is known as the July Monarchy and was dominated by wealthy industrialists and bankers. During the 1840–1848 period, he followed conservative policies, especially under the influence of French statesman François Guizot. He also promoted friendship with the United Kingdom and sponsored colonial expansion, notably the French conquest of Algeria. His popularity faded as economic conditions in France deteriorated in 1847, and he was forced to abdicate after the outbreak of the French Revolution of 1848. Louis Philippe lived for the remainder of his life in exile in the United Kingdom.

Reader's Guide

Louis Philippe I's significance lies in his role as the last French king and the only monarch from the Orléans branch of the Bourbon family. His reign, the July Monarchy, marked a period of bourgeois dominance and conservative policies under François Guizot. His abdication in 1848 ended the French monarchy and paved the way for the French Second Republic. His legacy includes the Orléanist political faction, which supported his claim, in contrast to Legitimists (main Bourbon line) and Bonapartists. His colonial expansion, especially the conquest of Algeria, had lasting effects. His exile in the United Kingdom and his grandchildren's marriages into European royal houses (including Leopold II of Belgium, Empress Carlota of Mexico, Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, and Queen Mercedes of Spain) extended his influence. The nickname 'Citizen King' reflects his early liberal sympathies, though his later conservative turn contributed to his downfall.

Did You Know?

• Louis Philippe was promoted to lieutenant general by the age of 19.
• He fled to Switzerland in 1793 after being connected with a plot to restore France's monarchy.
• His father, Philippe Égalité, was executed during the Reign of Terror.
• He was proclaimed king in 1830 after his distant cousin Charles X was forced to abdicate by the July Revolution.
• Among his grandchildren were King Leopold II of Belgium, Empress Carlota of Mexico, Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, and Queen Mercedes of Spain.