Princess Élisabeth of France (d. 1794)

Élisabeth Philippe Marie Hélène of France, born on May 3, 1764, was a princess of profound devotion and unwavering loyalty, whose life became inextricably linked with the dramatic final years of the French monarchy. As the youngest child of Louis, Dauphin of France, and Duchess Maria Josepha of Saxony, she held a prominent position within the Bourbon royal family. Her father, the Dauphin, was the direct heir and son of the reigning King Louis XV, making Élisabeth a beloved sister to the future King Louis XVI.

From a young age, Princess Élisabeth was known for her piety, intelligence, and strong character. She received an education befitting a royal princess, yet she cultivated a deep personal faith and a strong sense of duty. Despite opportunities to leave France as the political climate deteriorated, her profound affection and loyalty to her brother, King Louis XVI, and his family compelled her to remain by their side during the escalating turmoil of the French Revolution. She shared their harrowing journey from the opulence of Versailles to the grim confines of the Tuileries Palace, and ultimately, to their imprisonment in the Temple Tower.

Princess Élisabeth endured the increasingly harsh conditions alongside the King, Queen Marie Antoinette, and their children, facing the same uncertainty and threats to their lives. Her steadfast presence was a source of comfort and strength to her beleaguered family. However, as the Revolution spiraled into the brutal phase known as the Reign of Terror, no member of the former royal family was safe. Her unwavering commitment to the monarchy and her faith were seen as direct threats by the revolutionary government.

Tragically, her loyalty culminated in her execution on May 10, 1794. Princess Élisabeth was taken to the guillotine at the infamous Place de la Révolution in Paris, a site now known as the Place de la Concorde, which had become a grim stage for the Revolution’s bloody justice. Her death, occurring just months before the end of the Reign of Terror, cemented her place as one of its many victims.

Beyond her historical significance, Princess Élisabeth is deeply revered by the Catholic Church. Given her unshakeable faith and the circumstances of her death during a period of intense anti-clerical sentiment, she is regarded as a martyr. Her cause for canonization was formally introduced, and in a significant step towards sainthood, she was declared a Servant of God by Pope Pius XII, recognizing her life of virtue and the potential for her veneration.

Frequently Asked Questions About Élisabeth of France

Who was Élisabeth of France?

Élisabeth Philippe Marie Hélène of France was a French princess, born on May 3, 1764, the youngest child of Louis, Dauphin of France, and Duchess Maria Josepha of Saxony. She was the sister of King Louis XVI and a prominent figure during the French Revolution.

What was her relationship to King Louis XVI?

Princess Élisabeth was the younger sister of King Louis XVI. She shared a particularly close bond with him and famously chose to remain with him and his family throughout the tumultuous events of the French Revolution.

What happened to her during the French Revolution?

During the French Revolution, Princess Élisabeth remained steadfastly by her brother, King Louis XVI, and his family. She shared their imprisonment, first in the Tuileries Palace and later in the Temple Tower. Ultimately, she was arrested, tried by the Revolutionary Tribunal, and executed by guillotine at the Place de la Révolution in Paris on May 10, 1794, during the height of the Reign of Terror.

Why is she considered a martyr by the Catholic Church?

The Catholic Church regards Princess Élisabeth as a martyr due to her steadfast faith and her execution under the revolutionary government, which targeted members of the clergy and those who remained loyal to traditional Catholic institutions and the monarchy. Her death is seen as a consequence of her unyielding religious convictions and royal identity during a period of extreme anti-monarchical and anti-clerical sentiment.

What does "Servant of God" mean in the context of her recognition by the Catholic Church?

In the Catholic Church, "Servant of God" is the first step in the process of canonization, or declaring someone a saint. It signifies that the local bishop, with the Vatican's permission, has begun an official investigation into the individual's life, virtues, and sanctity, marking the initial formal recognition of a potential candidate for sainthood.