The Bourbon-Montpensier family were the founders of the vast wealth that would later be enjoyed by the House of Orléans and their cousins the Bourbon-Penthièvres.
History
The main line was founded by a marriage between John I, Duke of Bourbon and Marie de Valois, comtesse de Montpensier. The title was transferred down the line, mainly by females. The most famous examples of holders of the title of duc de Montpensier were:
On the death of Anne, Duchess of Montpensier, many of her titles, lands and wealth went to the House of Orléans. Her cousin Philippe de France, duc d'Orléans was the founder of the modern House of Orléans and was her sole heir. As a result of this vast inheritance, the Orléans family became very wealthy. Their wealth only increased when the Bourbon-Penthièvre married into the family in 1769.
The arms of the House of Bourbon-Montpensier familyThe arms of the Dauphin of Auvergne.The arms of the Duchy of MontpensierThe arms of the Principality of Joinville
Her vast wealth helped to found the House of Orléans and then the Bourbon-Penthièvre family financially. The latter getting most of it through the death and inheritances from their cousins the du Maines. They went on to be absorbed by the House of Orléans via a marriage and no male heirs.
House of Orléans
On the death of Anne Marie Louise d'Orléans, the title was used exclusively by the main members on the house. The first person to hold the title of duc de Montpensier was Philippe de France and the title is often said to have been inherited by his wife Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine, duchesse d'Orléans. Even so, she did not hold the title in her own right but as the wife of the duke of Montpensier.
The title passed down the line of the Orléans family and is now used as a courtesy title by the pretender to the Throne of the Orléans family.
^James, Carolyn (2021). "The Diplomacy of Clara Gonzaga, countess of Montpensier‐Bourbon: Gendered perspectives of family duty, honour and female agency". Renaissance Studies. 35 (3): 486. doi:10.1111/rest.12698.
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