When Louis met Marie

When Louis met Marie

The proxy marriage between Marie-Thérèse of Spain and Louis XIV, took place in Fuenterrabia on 3rd June 1669.

Marie-Thérèse then left for France immediately after.

Although she was betrothed to her French cousin quite early in her youth, Marie-Thérèse was not really taught how to speak French.
This would cause her a headache later on.

The day after she arrived in France, she met the family, already as their Queen.

Until then Marie-Thérèse had never seen her husband in person before.

It was not planned that she would meet him until the 6th June, but the groom was curious and secretly snuck his way into the family meeting.

Marie-Thérèse was small, and had a plump figure due to her love of sweets, especially chocolate.
This extreme consumption had put her teeth in a terrible state.

Her accent was so harsh that nobody really understood what she said.
She was not the smartest, and more awkward than graceful.

She was a bit of a silly girl with a childish spirit, no interest in politics, no clue about fashion, or anything else that could be helpful when one is Queen.

For Louis, the only plus points might have been her blonde hair and blue eyes.

During the official first meeting of the King of France and the new Queen of France, the curious onlookers thought it must have been a strange scene.

The French wore fashionable and colourful outfits, while the Spanish were dressed in humble outfits of dark colours – something that had been fashionable a century ago in the eyes of the French.

Tears fell plenty as Marie-Thérèse said goodbye to her family, who she would never see again.

Marie-Thérèse was French now, and tradition prevented foreign Princesses and Queens to return to their native lands even for a quick visit.

On the 9th June 1660, Marie-Thérèse and Louis XIV were formally married in a grand ceremony at Saint-Jean-de-Luz.

The bride wore an expensive gown with embroidered fleur-de-lis and a crown on her blonde head.

The door through which the couple entered the church was walled up afterwards.

Legend has it that it was done to represent the closing of the troubles between France and Spain.
However, the locals were more of the opinion it was done so no other couple could walk into the church to be married in their footsteps.

A large banquet followed the wedding ceremony, music was played, people danced and the tables were filled with all sorts of delicious things.

Marie-Thérèse’s sweet tooth probably thought it was in heaven!

It came as a bit of a shock to her, as the groom rose from the table, earlier than she expected, uttering his desire to ‘retire’ to their room..

Blushing Marie-Thérèse whispered to her aunt and mother-in-law, that she was not quite sure if it was not a bit early for that…..

The newlyweds retired to a Hotel provided to them, the groom quite eager to get the matter done.

Marie-Thérèse was hesitant at first, but when informed the groom was already in a state of undress and waiting, she urged her maids to hurry with getting her undressed.

The next morning, both the groom and the bride were observed to look rather pleased with themselves.

For Marie-Thérèse, it must have been like a dream come true.
She had married the most handsome, most glorious, most dashing King in all of Europe.

For Louis, he found his wife a bit of a bore compared to the women he had contact with before – all those graceful young things that caught his glance and forced a blush on his cheeks.

For Louis, Marie-Thérèse was only really important twice in her life.

The first time was when she gave birth to a healthy heir on 1st November 1661.

The second time was when he could lay claim to the Spanish Netherlands on behalf of her, after her father’s death.

Eventually Marie-Thérèse arranged herself with the fact that her husband had mistresses, which made her life with Louis not necessarily easier.

The Queen withdrew more and more into her own little world.
She spent her time in the company of her ladies, a horde of small dogs and a group of dwarfs to amuse her.

Marie-Thérèse’s days consisted of eating, and drinking chocolate – while her husband’s mistresses acted as Queen.

Her life at the French court was not easy, and apart from the grief caused by several mistresses, the Queen also had to bury most of her children at an early age.

In the duration of ten years, Marie-Thérèse gave birth to six children, of which five died.

Marie-Thérèse’s early death was a surprise to everyone.

As she returned from a trip of inspecting the Royal fortresses on the 20th July 1683, she seemed in quite good health, but this changed quickly.

An abscess had formed under her left arm, and the Queen had to remain in bed.

The usual treatment of the doctors, in the form of bleeding and purging, weakened her body quickly.

The abscess turned purple and purulent, showing signs of septicaemia.

Although Marie-Thérèse’s pain was great, she never complained.
Realising her time on earth was coming to an end, she uttered the words –

“Since I have been Queen, I only had one happy day.”

Marie-Thérèse died on the 30th July 1683, aged forty-four.

Her widowed husband said –

“This is the first grief she ever caused me”

Louis XIV secretly married Madame de Maintenon, two months later.

? Celebration Of The Marriage Of Louis XIV & Marie-Thérèse.
Jacques Laumosnier.