Histoire d'Henriette d'Angleterre

A vivid portrait of Henriette‑Marie, the exiled English princess who became Duchess of Orléans, unfolds through the eyes of her close confidante, Madame de La Fayette. Drawing on personal visits to the convent of Chaillot and intimate conversations, the narrative traces Henriette’s early years in exile, her marriage to the brother of Louis XIV, and the delicate balance she kept between court intrigue and private devotion.

The work blends third‑person history with occasional first‑person reflections, giving readers a sense of being present at the very moments described. Its elegant 17th‑century French prose captures the tenderness of friendship, the constraints of royal duty, and the subtle politics of the French court, while preserving the charm of Henriette’s modest yet perceptive character. Listeners will be drawn into a world where personal memory and historical record intertwine, offering a nuanced glimpse of a remarkable woman’s life at the heart of Europe’s most famous monarchies.