Saturday, February 3, 2024

Remembering the Life of Princess Micaëla d'Orléans: A Royal Legacy

The passing of Dowager Countess of Paris, HRH Princess Micaëla d'Orléans, has left a profound impact on the royal family and the world of European nobility. Born as doña Micaëla Ana María Cousiño y Quiñones de León on April 30, 1938, in Vichy, France, she was the daughter of Luis Maximiliano Cousiño y Sébire and doña Antonia Quiñones de Léon y Bañuelos, the 4th Marquesa of...1 Princess Micaëla, who was eighty-three years old at the time of her passing on March 13, 2024, in Paris, France, was a prominent figure in European royal circles. Her life was marked by her dedication to her family and her role as the Dowager Countess of Paris, a title she held with distinction. Her passing serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the rich cultural heritage and traditions of European nobility, which she embodied throughout her life.

The Passing of the Dowager Countess of Paris (1938-2022)

 
Henri and Micaëla
HRH Princess Micaëla d'Orléans, Dowager Countess of Paris, died on Sunday, 13 March, in the French capital. She was eighty-three years-old. The Dowager Countess of Paris was born doña Micaëla Ana María Cousiño y Quiñones de León on 30 April 1938 at Vichy, France. Her parents were Luis Maximiliano Cousiño y Sébire (1895-1970) and his wife doña Antonia Quiñones de Léon y Bañuelos (1895-1982), 4th Marquesa of San Carlos and Grandee of Spain; the couple had married at Paris on 9 June 1922. The Marquesa of San Carlos and her husband were divorced in the late 1940s after having had seven children. Nearly fifteen years separated their first child, don Juan Luis (1923-2017), from their last, doña Micaëla (b.1938).
doña Antonia Quiñones de Léon y Bañuelos, IV marquesa de San Carlos, in 1929
Doña Micaëla Cousiño y Quiñones de León married firstly in a civil ceremony on 12 June 1961 at Saint-Cloud to Jean Marie Maurice Bœuf (b.1934). The couple had one son, Alexis Francis-Bœuf (b.1964). The marriage of Micaëla and Jean ended in divorce in 1966.
Alexis Francis-Bœf with his stepfather and mother, the Count and Countess of Paris, in 2017
Micaëla began her career on the radio in France. Her first husband Jean Bœuf was an employee of Télévision Française. Later, Micaëla worked for an advertising group both in Madrid and in Paris. From 1978 until May 1981, she was responsible for the communications of the minister and the senior directors at the cabinet of minister Raymond Barre.
 
The Count of Clermont and the Princess of Joinville
On 21 January 1973, Micaëla Cousiño met Prince Henri d'Orléans, Count of Clermont, the eldest son of the Count and Countess of Paris. Henri had been married since 1957 to Duchess Marie-Thérèse of Württemberg and they had five children; however, the couple's union had deteriorated over time. When Henri and Micaëla encountered one another, it was love at first sight. Their devotion to one another was to stand the test of adversity and time. 
 
Henri and Micaëla
 
In 1984, the Count of Clermont and his wife Marie-Thérèse, who was granted the title Duchess of Montpensier by her father-in-law, were civilly divorced. Prince Henri d'Orléans and doña Micaëla Cousiño y Quiñones de León contracted a civil marriage at Bordeaux on 31 October 1984; this action greatly displeased the groom's father, who sought to disinherit his son for a number of years. However, the Count of Paris and the Count of Clermont were reconciled in 1991; at this time, the Count of Paris granted his daughter-in-law Micaëla the title Princess of Joinville.  
 
The civil marriage of Prince Henri d'Orléans and doña Micaëla Cousiño in 1984
 
Point de Vue covers the reconciliation of father and son in 1991
 
In 1999, the Count of Paris died and was succeeded by his eldest son Henri as Head of House France. Henri assumed the title Count of Paris; however, Micaëla chose to remain titled as Princess of Joinville from 1999 until 2003, when her mother-in-law passed away. The "new" Count of Paris and his first wife the Duchess of Montpensier received a religious annulment in 2008 from the Vatican. In light of this, Henri and Micaëla, the Count and Countess of Paris, were joined in a Roman Catholic ceremony on 26 September 2009 at Biarritz.
 
The Count and Countess of Paris after their religious wedding in 2009 Photograph (c) Alamy
 
The Count and Countess of Paris with Empress Farah of Iran
After thirty-four years of marriage to his second wife, the Count of Paris died on 21 January 2019 in Paris. His death came exactly forty-six years after he crossed paths with the woman who was to be his partner for the rest of his life. The Countess of Paris was unable to attend the funeral of her husband due to poor health.
 
The Dowager Countess of Paris

As we bid farewell to the Dowager Countess of Paris, HRH Princess Micaëla d'Orléans, we are reminded of the profound impact she had on the royal family and the world of European nobility. Her life was marked by her dedication to her family and her role as the Dowager Countess of Paris, a title she held with distinction. From her early beginnings in radio broadcasting to her later work in the political sphere, Princess Micaëla's eclectic career was a testament to her adaptability and resilience. Her ability to navigate the complexities of royal life, including her marriage to Henri d'Orléans, Count of Paris, and her involvement in the family's activities, showcased her strength and determination. As we reflect on her life, we are reminded of the importance of preserving the rich cultural heritage and traditions of European nobility, which she embodied throughout her life.

Princess Micaëla's passing serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing the time we have with loved ones. Her legacy will continue to inspire and influence those who knew her, and her contributions to the royal family and European nobility will not be forgotten. As we move forward, we honor her memory by continuing to uphold the values and traditions that she represented so well. The Dowager Countess of Paris, HRH Princess Micaëla d'Orléans, will always be remembered as a shining example of elegance, sophistication, and dedication to her family and her heritage. May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her, and may her legacy continue to inspire future generations.

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