France Update: Louis XX Claims Crown Amid Macron Turmoil
The Flag of France - Tricolore , floating beneath the arc of triumph, Paris. Photo courtesy of Christopher Macsurak under CC BY-SA 4.0.
A direct descendant of the last King of France has thrown down the gauntlet amid the chaos gripping Emmanuel Macron's government. Louis de Bourbon, styling himself as Louis XX, claims the throne that has been vacant since the French Revolution and says he is ready to serve France if the people want a return to monarchy. His declaration comes as France reels from political instability, with Macron cycling through prime ministers at a dizzying pace and protests shaking the streets.
A Royal Comeback in Troubled Times
Louis Alphonse de Bourbon, 51, is no ordinary royal enthusiast. Known as the Duke of Anjou, he is regarded by French Legitimist monarchists as the senior male heir of the House of Bourbon. He traces his lineage to King Louis XIV through his grandson Philip V of Spain, making him part of the Spanish Bourbon line. While not a direct descendant of King Louis XVI, the monarch executed during the French Revolution, Louis positions himself as the symbolic claimant to the French throne, which has remained vacant since the abolition of the monarchy in 1792.
In a recent interview with the Journal du Dimanche, he expressed dismay at the current state of French politics, blaming the "governing class' negligence" for the country's woes and signaling his willingness to step in if France desires a monarchy once again, as reported by The Sun.
He said the political, institutional, and social conditions in France continue to deteriorate and sees it as his duty to speak out as the head of the Bourbon dynasty. Louis XX hopes the monarchical legacy he represents still resonates with the French people and can inspire hope amid the turmoil. His timing is notable: Macron's government has been rocked by resignations and unrest, with seven individuals appointed as prime minister since 2017, including Sebastien Lecornu, who has served two non-consecutive terms.
Macron's Government in Freefall
The political instability Louis XX references is hard to ignore. Since 2017, Macron has appointed seven different prime ministers. Lecornu's two terms bring the total appointments to eight. The latest prime minister, Lecornu, resigned after less than a month in office, only to be reappointed days later following a four-day search for a replacement.
This revolving door at the top reflects deeper fractures in French politics. Macron's centrist bloc lost dozens of seats in the last legislative elections amid a surge in support for the far-right party Rassemblement National and a left-wing coalition that, while winning the most seats, still falls short of a majority. The result is a hung parliament and a government struggling to maintain control. Meanwhile, millions of French citizens regularly take to the streets in "Block Everything" protests, paralyzing cities and demanding change, as reported by The Sun.
Adding to the political chaos, The Spectator notes that one government formation attempt survived only 14 hours, underscoring the depth of institutional gridlock.
A History of Royal Claims and Rivalries
Louis XX is not the only royal claimant stirring the pot. The French throne, though abolished, remains a subject of dispute among several pretenders. The Orléanist branch, represented by Jean d'Orléans, Count of Paris, also claims the title, tracing descent from Philippe I, Duke of Orléans, brother of Louis XIV. Meanwhile, the Bonapartist line, linked to Napoleon Bonaparte's family, maintains its own symbolic claim, with Jean-Christophe Napoléon reportedly preferring to stay out of the fray.
The rivalry between Louis XX and Jean d'Orléans is a centuries-old saga of competing dynasties. Louis XX's claim is based on his direct descent from Louis XVI, making him the senior male heir of the Bourbon line. However, his ties to the Spanish crown and historical renunciations complicate his claim. A Spanish Bourbon ancestor renounced claims to the French throne, a point the Orléanists emphasize to dispute Louis XX's legitimacy.
Despite these disputes, the French Republic has no legal monarchy, and these claims remain largely symbolic. The government and the public officially recognize France as a republic, with Emmanuel Macron serving as president. Yet, the fascination with monarchy persists fueled by history and cultural identity.
Monarchy's Lingering Appeal
The idea of monarchy still holds a curious place in French society. A 2022 poll by Figaro found that the monarchy is more popular among younger French citizens under 35 than among those over 65, with 52% of the younger group expressing some favor compared to 36% of the older generation, as reported by The Spectator.
This paradox reflects a complex relationship with France's royal past. The monarchy ruled France for more than a thousand years before the Revolution, and many French people retain a sense of nostalgia or cultural connection to that era. The death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 drew seven million French viewers to her state funeral broadcast, underscoring the enduring allure of royal pageantry.
Louis XX's appeal taps into this sentiment, offering a vision of stability and tradition amid the chaos of modern politics. He evokes the memory of a dynasty that shaped France's history and suggests that monarchy could be a source of inspiration and hope in troubled times.
The Reality of Restoration
Yet, the practicalities of restoring a monarchy in France are daunting. The Fifth Republic, designed by Charles de Gaulle in 1958, was created to ensure political stability and prevent the kind of government collapses that plagued earlier republics. Louis XX's call for monarchy comes at a moment when the Republic faces gridlock. However, the path to restoration is unclear.
Historically, France has seen multiple restorations and regime changes, from the Bourbon restoration after Napoleon's fall to the Orléanist monarchy and the Second Empire under Napoleon III. Each shift brought its own turmoil and divisions. Today, swapping prime ministerial crises for dynastic disputes between Legitimists and Orléanists may not resolve France's political challenges.
A Symbolic Gesture or a Political Statement?
Louis XX's readiness to serve France is as much a symbolic gesture as a political one. His statement highlights the dissatisfaction many feel with the current government but also revives a centuries-old debate about France's identity and governance. Whether this will translate into any real political movement remains to be seen.
For now, France remains a republic, and Emmanuel Macron continues to navigate a turbulent political landscape. But the reemergence of a royal claimant like Louis XX adds a dramatic twist to the story, reminding the world that history's shadows still loom large over modern France/
If you thought monarchy was a thing of the past, Louis XX's declaration proves otherwise. The crown may be empty, but the drama is alive and well.
References: I'm ready to be King of France - Macron has brought Republic to ruin, says direct descendant of guillotined Louis XVI | Henri D'Orleans Dies, Spat Over French Throne Lives On | Can Louis XX save Macron's France?
