1. Princess Maria Adelaide of Savoy: A Royal Legacy
2. Engagement and Marriage
3. Duchess of Burgundy
4. Dauphin of France
5. Tragic End
6. Legacy
7. Children

Princess Maria Adelaide of Savoy: A Royal Legacy

Early Life

Maria Adelaide was born in the Royal Palace of Turin, Italy, on 6 December 1685. As the eldest daughter of Victor Amadeus II, Duke of Savoy, and Anne Marie d'Orléans, a French princess, she was destined for a life of privilege and power.

Engagement and Marriage

In 1696, as part of the Treaty of Turin, Maria Adelaide was betrothed to Louis, Duke of Burgundy, heir to the French throne. The marriage was a strategic alliance, cementing the alliance between Savoy and France during the Nine Years' War. Maria Adelaide, who was only 10 years old at the time, was sent to France for her education and introduction to court life.

Duchess of Burgundy

On 7 December 1697, at the age of 12, Maria Adelaide married Louis at Versailles. The marriage was a grand affair, and she quickly became a favorite of her father-in-law, King Louis XIV, and his second wife, Madame de Maintenon. Maria Adelaide's intelligence and charm made her an influential figure at court, and she played a role in shaping the political landscape.

Dauphin of France

In 1711, upon the death of the Grand Dauphin, Louis and Maria Adelaide became Dauphin and Dauphine of France, making them the heirs to the throne. However, their time as Dauphin and Dauphine was short-lived.

Tragic End

In 1712, during a royal visit to the Château de Meudon, Maria Adelaide contracted measles. Despite the best medical care of the time, she succumbed to the illness and died at Versailles on 12 February 1712, at the age of 26. Her husband, Louis, died of the same disease six days later.

Legacy

Maria Adelaide's death was a profound loss to her family and the French court. She was a beloved figure, admired for her intellect, charm, and political acumen. Her influence on French politics and culture is still remembered today.

Children

Maria Adelaide and Louis had three children:
- Louis, Duke of Brittany (1704-1705)
- Louis, Duke of Brittany (1707-1712)
- Louis XV of France (1710-1774)

Only their youngest son, Louis XV, survived to adulthood and became King of France.

Wife