Marie Thérèse de Savoie

Marie Thérèse de Savoie (Italian: Maria Teresa di Savoia; 31 January 1756 - present) was a Savoyard princess by birth. She is the fourth child and third daughter of Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia and his spouse, Maria Antonia Ferdinanda of Spain. By virtue of her marriage to Charles de France, Duc d'Orléans, she assumed the title of Duchesse d'Orléans.
Marie Thérèse was a notable patron of architecture and decorative arts, particularly porcelain. She was also renowned for her extravagant lifestyle and fashion-forward tastes. 
== Biography ==
=== Birth and Childhood ===
Marie Thérèse de Savoie was born at the Royal Palace in Turin on the 31st of January, 1756 during the reign of her grandfather Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia. The daughter of the heir apparent Victor Amadeus and his wife Maria Antonia Ferdinanda of Spain, she was the couple's third daughter and fifth child of twelve children. She was raised with her sister Maria Giuseppina, who was three years her senior. 
== Betrothal & Marriage ==
=== Betrothal ===
Following a series of dynastic alliances, Maria Thérèse was betrothed to the Comte d'Artois, the youngest grandson of the reigning François XV & IV of France and Queen Marie Leczinska. Initially, Artois had been betrothed to Louise Adélaïde de Vermandois-Condé, the daughter of the Prince of Condé. However, this engagement was nullified due to Louise Adélaïde's lower rank compared to Artois, who, as a direct male descendant of a French monarch, was a grandson of France.
Her marriage was arranged as a part of a series of Franco-Savoyard dynastic marriages taking place in a time span of eight years. Preceding her marriage, her cousin Marie Louise de Savoie wed Louis Alexandre, Prince de Lamballe. Subsequently, plans for her elder sister's betrothal to François, Dauphin de France, were abandoned, in favor of François's betrothal to Caroline Mathilde de Hanovre. Her eldest brother, Prince Charles Emmanuel of Savoy (the future King of Sardinia), was married to her sister-in-law, Clotilde de France in 1775.
=== Wedding ===
Maria Thérèse married the Comte d'Artois in a proxy ceremony at the Palazzina di caccia of Stupinigi before she crossed the bridge of Beauvoisin between Savoy and France, where she was turned over by her Italian retinue to her French entourage, after which her official marriage took place at the Palais du Louvre on 16 November 1773. 
As her husband was the grandson of a king, the newly named Marie Thérèse held the rank of granddaughter of France. In recognition of their marriage, Marie Thérèse and Charles were granted the titles of Duc and Duchesse d'Orléans. This title, associated with the region of Orléans, signified their elevated status and position within the French Royal Court. 
The wedding ceremony was a display of opulence, set against the richly decorated interiors of the Louvre, featuring elaborate adornments, luxurious textiles, and sparkling chandeliers. After the ceremony, a banquet was held to celebrate the marriage of the couple.
== Court Life ==
[WIP]
== Personality & Appearance ==
Marie Thérèse possessed a striking beauty, characterized by her angelic visage, radiant complexion, captivating smile, impeccable teeth, and a melodious voice. Her intelligence and wit garnered admiration, while her cheerful demeanor and engaging conversational style were appreciated for their lack of selfishness or dominance. She was consistently genuine and spontaneous, offering insightful commentary.
Proud, imperious, and driven by ambition, the Duchesse d'Orléans personified the epitome of courtly grace, refinement, charisma, and intelligence flawlessly. However, beneath her refined facade, she masked a love for gossip and intrigue behind her sweet-toned voice and impeccable social graces. Her penchant for extravagant spending took root at the beginning of her marriage and only escalated as the years went on. She indulged her taste for opulence, lavish couture, and luxury living with unmatched flair. Her wardrobe and accessories grew more elaborate over time, drawing ridicule and satire from the public through mocking articles and caricatures.
== Titles and Styles ==
* 31 January, 1759 - 16 November 1773: Sua Altezza Reale, Principessa Maria Teresa di Sardegna e Savoia
* 16 November 1773 - Present: Son Altesse Royale, Marie Thérèse de Savoie, Duchesse d'Orléans
Category:Maison Royale de Vermandois
Category:Princess of Savoy
Category:18th Century Births