You're Dead to Me

Philippe, Duc d’Orléans: in the shadow of the Sun King

February 13, 2026

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  • Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, was raised in the shadow of his older brother, Louis XIV, with his early life marked by trauma, including civil war and the execution of their English cousins, while being educated to defer to the future king. 
  • Philippe's early life included ambiguous gender presentation, with stories suggesting he was dressed as a girl by his mother, Anne of Austria, possibly to mitigate the threat he posed while his rebellious uncle, Gaston, was alive. 
  • Philippe developed a complex personal life, including a 40-year relationship with the Chevalier de Lorraine, a successful military career culminating in a victory over William III at Kassel (which Louis XIV resented), and later becoming a shrewd financial manager and patron of the arts, independent of his brother's court at Versailles. 
  • Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, faced the classic 'heir and a spare' dilemma, where activity in politics or the military was seen as threatening, forcing him to focus on patronage, arts, and finance to carve out a niche. 
  • Philippe ultimately chose loyalty to his brother, Louis XIV, by focusing on being an 'ornament to the French monarchy' through patronage and wealth accumulation, rather than challenging the King's power. 
  • Philippe's life established a precedent for how second sons in royal dynasties navigated their position, setting a standard for the 18th century. 

Segments

Introduction and Guests
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(00:01:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Greg Jenner introduces the episode of You’re Dead to Me focusing on Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, Louis XIV’s brother, alongside historian Dr. Jonathan Spangler and comedian Tom Allen.
  • Summary: The episode of You’re Dead to Me sets out to explore the life of Philippe, Duc d’Orléans. The host, Greg Jenner, is joined by expert historian Dr. Jonathan Spangler and comedian Tom Allen. The introduction frames Philippe as the ’less famous but more fabulous brother’ of Louis XIV.
Philippe’s Parentage and Birth
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(00:05:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Philippe was born in 1640 to Louis XIII and Anne of Austria, following a 15-year marriage gap that resulted in his older brother, Louis XIV, being called the ‘God-given son.’
  • Summary: Philippe’s parents were Louis XIII and Anne of Austria, who conceived him and Louis XIV after a long period of childlessness, leading to Louis XIV being named the ‘God-given son.’ Gossip suggests Louis XIII may have been homosexual or cripplingly pious, contributing to the delay in conception. Another rumor suggested Philippe might have been the child of the adventurer Giulio Mazzarini (Mazarin).
Upbringing as the Spare
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(00:09:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Philippe received an education identical to the heir, Louis XIV, covering military strategy, fencing, and riding, but was psychologically conditioned from birth to always defer to his older brother.
  • Summary: As the spare, Philippe was educated to be a king because infant mortality was high, meaning he had to be ready to inherit. Day-to-day deference meant standing when Louis XIV stood, establishing a strict psychological hierarchy early on. This dynamic was complicated by the concurrent French Civil War, the Fronde, which forced the young royal family to flee Paris.
Childhood Cross-Dressing Stories
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(00:14:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Stories exist, notably from the Abbe de Choisy, that Philippe was dressed as a girl by his mother until age seven to make him less threatening than his rebellious uncle, Gaston, though later historians dismissed this as emasculation.
  • Summary: Aristocratic boys commonly wore dresses until age seven, but Anne of Austria allegedly kept Philippe dressed as a girl to avoid him becoming rebellious like his uncle Gaston. The Abbe de Choisy claimed they played together in dresses and diamonds, though scholars suggest this might be exaggerated for effect. Later Victorian historians suggested this training was an attempt to make Philippe gay to prevent him from challenging the throne, a theory dismissed as illogical.
Teenage Flamboyance and Rivalry
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(00:17:31)
  • Key Takeaway: As a teenager, Philippe was perceived as more energetic and theatrical than Louis XIV, sometimes pushing fashion boundaries, including appearing at court dressed as a shepherdess alongside his cousin, La Grande Mademoiselle.
  • Summary: Philippe was likely more flamboyant and theatrical than the serious Louis XIV, who favored a ‘read it in school, therefore it must be so’ mentality. The fashion of the time included high heels, lace, and large wigs for men, making cross-dressing less shocking than today. Philippe’s military career was cut short after he won a major victory at Kassel in 1677 because Louis XIV was jealous of his success.
Marriage to Henriette and Love Life
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(00:24:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Philippe married Henriette Anne, sister of Charles II of England, and while they had children, Philippe weaponized pregnancy to prevent Henriette from outshining him at court balls.
  • Summary: Philippe was made the Duke d’Orléans upon his uncle Gaston’s death and married Henriette Anne in 1661, producing three children, including Marie-Louise. Henriette, who was energetic and loved fashion, immediately clashed with Philippe over who would shine at court. Philippe allegedly used pregnancy to force her absence from winter balls, a tactic described as vicious.
Henriette’s Political Triumph and Death
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(00:33:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Henriette successfully negotiated the secret Treaty of Dover with her brother Charles II, agreeing to his conversion to Catholicism, but died mysteriously shortly after returning to France in triumph in 1670, leading to immediate suspicion of poisoning.
  • Summary: Henriette became politically active, securing the Treaty of Dover where Charles II agreed to convert to Catholicism for a bribe. She died suddenly in June 1670 after drinking chicory, leading to accusations that Philippe or the Chevalier de Lorraine were responsible, though the Chevalier was out of the country at the time. Following her death, Philippe was free to resume his relationship with the Chevalier de Lorraine.
Second Marriage to Lisa Lotta
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(00:36:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Philippe subsequently married Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate (Lisa Lotta), a German Protestant who underwent a rapid conversion to Catholicism to secure the alliance, and who was known for her self-deprecating humor and progressive health views.
  • Summary: Louis XIV arranged Philippe’s second marriage to Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate (Lisa Lotta) to secure German alliances, requiring her to convert to Catholicism in a single day upon arrival. Lisa Lotta was a prolific letter writer known for her wit, self-deprecating comments about her appearance, and advocating for fresh air and exercise for her children. The marriage was complicated by the return of the Chevalier de Lorraine, creating a long-term three-way dynamic.
Philippe’s Financial Independence
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(00:44:43)
  • Key Takeaway: After his military career was curtailed by Louis XIV’s jealousy, Philippe developed his lands, built infrastructure like a canal, and inherited the vast fortune of his cousin, La Grande Mademoiselle, achieving financial independence from the crown.
  • Summary: Philippe transitioned from a frivolous youth to a capable businessman, developing his lands and building infrastructure. His financial independence was secured when La Grande Mademoiselle died unmarried and bequeathed her massive fortune to him. This allowed Philippe to maintain his lavish lifestyle at the Palais Royale and Saint-Cloud, often hosting Molière’s troupe, while Louis XIV remained at Versailles.
Philippe’s Death and Legacy
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(00:49:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Philippe died suddenly from a heart attack, possibly exacerbated by a heated argument with Louis XIV over his son Chartres’s stalled military career, prompting his wife to immediately burn his private letters to protect the family’s reputation.
  • Summary: Philippe died after a stressful confrontation with Louis XIV regarding his son, the Duke de Chartres, who was talented but denied military promotion due to fears of overshadowing the Dauphin. His wife, Lisa Lotta, immediately burned his private correspondence, likely containing letters from male favorites like the Chevalier de Lorraine, to prevent further scandal. Philippe’s son, the new Duke of Orléans, went on to become Regent of France after Louis XIV’s long reign ended.
Philippe’s Legacy Assessment
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(00:52:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, likely expected more recognition than a simple podcast commemoration.
  • Summary: Tom Allen suggests Philippe would have expected something grander, like an opera, reflecting his desire for recognition beyond his historical shadow. The segment transitions into planning for the ‘Nuance Window.’ This section sets up the expert summary by Dr. Jonathan Spangler.
The Second Son Conundrum
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(00:52:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Royal dynasties must manage the ‘spare’ heir to prevent succession challenges or dynastic extinction.
  • Summary: Royal dynasties face a conundrum: too many heirs cause infighting, too few risk extinction, necessitating the ‘heir and a spare’ model. The spare, often male in France, must be given a role, otherwise, they risk challenging the older brother’s power. Philippe d’Orléans was trapped in a ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ scenario regarding political or military activity.
Philippe’s Chosen Path
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(00:53:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Philippe chose patronage, arts, and finance over political rivalry to maintain loyalty to Louis XIV.
  • Summary: Philippe focused his energy on patronage of the arts, building palaces, and gardens, acting as an ornament to the monarchy. He fulfilled his duty by marrying for diplomatic affairs and producing heirs but was also a source of scandal due to open affairs with men. History should view him as a loyal supporter, patron, collector, and savvy businessman who founded the powerful Orléans dynasty.
Final Thoughts and Advice
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(00:54:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Success despite a secondary position is possible, often aided by inheriting vast wealth from relatives.
  • Summary: Tom Allen concludes that Philippe inspires by showing one can make the most of a non-prominent position, though inheriting wealth (like from a spinster cousin) certainly helps. Philippe defied expectations by not challenging his brother, setting the standard for second sons for most of the 18th century, a tension also seen in the modern British royal family.
So What Do You Know Now Quiz
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(00:55:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Tom Allen achieved a perfect 10/10 score on the quiz covering Philippe’s life and relationships.
  • Summary: The quiz tested knowledge on Louis XIV, Philippe’s 1659 costume (shepherdess), his 40-year affair with the Chevalier de Lorraine, his uncle Gaston, and his wives (Henrietta and Liselotte). Philippe won the Battle of Cassel in 1677, which Louis XIV responded to by ignoring the success and stripping him of future military titles. Philippe gained independence through farming (‘Farmer Phil’) and inherited a fortune, dying after arguing with his brother.
Episode Wrap-up and Credits
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(00:58:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Listeners are directed to other episodes covering French royals and LGBTQ+ history.
  • Summary: The episode concludes by promoting related content, including episodes on Catherine de Medici, Marie Antoinette, Benedetta Carlini, and the Bloomsbury Group. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to ‘You’re Dead to Me’ on BBC Sounds for early access. Production credits list Emma Mitchell for research and multiple doctors for writing and production.