Princess Marie-Louise of Madagascar was born in exile on 1 May 1897 at the Hotel de l'Europe in Saint-Denis, Réunion. Her mother, Princess Razafinandriamanitra, was a daughter of Princess Rasendranoro and a niece of Ranavalona III. She was an illegitimate child, as her mother had conceived her with an unknown French soldier. She was born while the royal family was in exile in French territory after the Malagasy monarchy was abolished due to French colonial rule. Her mother died five days after giving birth. Although the royal family were Protestant, Marie-Louise was baptized in the Catholic faith at the Cathedral of St. Denis to appease the French. She was later adopted by Queen Ranavalona and was, according to the traditional rules of succession, the heir apparent to the abolished throne of Madagascar.