Today, Princess Marion d'Orléans, Dowager Countess of La Marche, celebrates her eightieth birthday. Born on September 4, 1942, in Santiago, Chile, Marion Mercedes Gordon-Orr was the only daughter of James Gordon-Orr, an engineer, and Gertrude *Mercedes* Devia Hermosilla. Her life has been marked by a deep connection to the royal family, starting with her marriage to Prince Thibaut d'Orléans in 1972.
As an interpreter in Paris, Marion first met Prince Thibaut, the youngest child of Prince Henri and Princess Isabelle, Count and Countess of Paris. The couple shared a passion for discovering lesser-known peoples and their cultures, which led them to write six books together. After Prince Thibaut's death, Princess Marion focused on raising their only surviving son, Robert. In 1999, her brother-in-law Prince Henri recognized their marriage and declared Robert a dynastic member of the royal house. Princess Marion continues to live discreetly, occasionally attending Orléans family functions.
what are some of Princess Marion's most notable contributions to the royal family
- Marriage and Family: Princess Marion married Prince Thibaut d'Orléans in 1972, and they had a son, Robert, who was recognized as a dynastic member of the royal house by Prince Henri in 1999.
- Literary Works: Alongside her husband, Princess Marion co-authored six books in the Les Princes du sang series, detailing the fictional fate of a German princely family. The first book, A Castle in Bavaria, was published in English.
- Support for the Royal Family: Princess Marion has continued to support the Orléans family, attending occasional functions and maintaining a discreet public presence.
how did Princess Marion's work as an interpreter shape her role in the royal family
- Cultural Understanding: As an interpreter, Princess Marion developed a deep understanding of different cultures and languages, which she shared with Prince Thibaut. This shared passion for cultural discovery led them to write six books together, detailing the fictional fate of a German princely family.
- Communication Skills: Her work as an interpreter honed Princess Marion's communication skills, which were essential in her role as a wife and mother within the royal family. These skills allowed her to effectively navigate the complexities of royal protocol and maintain a strong bond with her husband and son.
- Global Perspective: Princess Marion's experience as an interpreter exposed her to various cultures and perspectives. This global perspective likely influenced her approach to her role within the royal family, fostering a sense of understanding and empathy for the diverse experiences and traditions within the Orléans dynasty.
how did Princess Marion's experience as an interpreter influence her interactions with other members of the royal family
- Cultural Understanding: As an interpreter, Princess Marion developed a deep understanding of different cultures and languages. This skill allowed her to navigate the complexities of royal protocol and maintain a strong bond with her husband and son, who shared her passion for cultural discovery.
- Communication Skills: Her work as an interpreter honed Princess Marion's communication skills, which were essential in her role as a wife and mother within the royal family. These skills enabled her to effectively communicate with her husband and son, as well as other members of the royal family, fostering a sense of understanding and empathy.
- Global Perspective: Princess Marion's experience as an interpreter exposed her to various cultures and perspectives. This global perspective likely influenced her approach to her role within the royal family, fostering a sense of understanding and empathy for the diverse experiences and traditions within the Orléans dynasty.
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| Thibaut, Marion, and Robert. Photo (c) Micheline PELLETIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images. |
Today, Princess Marion d'Orléans, Dowager Countess of La Marche, celebrates her eightieth birthday.
Born on 4 September 1942 at Santiago, Chile, Marion Mercedes Gordon-Orr was the only daughter of James Gordon-Orr (1894-1973), an engineer, and Gertrude Mercedes Devia Hermosilla (1914-2003). Marion's paternal grandparents were Alexander Orr (1838-1919) and Clara Eliza Gordon (1858-1947).
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| Thibaut and Marion shortly before their marriage, 1972. |
In 1968, Marion first met Prince Thibaut d'Orléans, the youngest child of Prince Henri and Princess Isabelle, Count and Countess of Paris. At the time, Marion was working as an interpreter in Paris for an American firm.
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| Thibaut and Marion. |
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| The newlyweds. |
On 23 September 1972 at Edinburgh, Marion Gordon-Orr, aged thirty, married Prince Thibaut, aged twenty-four. The royal couple celebrated their religious marriage at the private chapel of Cardinal Gray, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh. At the time, their union was not pleasing to the groom's father, and the Count of Paris forbade all family members from attending the wedding. Thibaut's sister Princess Claude, then still Duchess of Aosta, was his only sibling to go against the wishes of the Orléans patriarch, and she was present to celebrate Thibaut and Marion's nuptials.
During their marriage, Thibaut and Marion travelled widely. They visited Peru, Colombia, and Chile, where Marion was born. In Marion, Thibaut found a soul who shared his love of the discovery of lesser-known peoples and their cultures. Between 1973 and 1974, the couple wrote six books in the Les Princes du sang series; these books detailed the fate of a fictional German princely family. The first of these books was published in English under the title A Castle in Bavaria.
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| Marion, Thibaut, and their eldest son Robert. |
Prince Thibaut and Princess Marion had two children, both sons and both born while Thibaut and Marion were staying with her mother in Edinburgh. Prince Robert d'Orléans arrived on 6 September 1976; Robert's godparents are Viscount Paul de La Panouse, one of his parents' dearest friends, as well as his aunt Princess Claude, Duchess of Aosta. Robert's birth led to a reconciliation between his father Thibaut and his grandfather Henri. Three years later, the family was completed by the birth of Louis-Philippe on 18 April 1979; his godparents were Count Charles of Bourbon-Busset and the infant's grandmother Madame the Countess of Paris. Tragically, eight-month-old Louis-Philippe died on 2 January 1980 from sepsis. The sudden and unexpected loss of Louis-Philippe, coupled with the brutally insensitive decision of his grandfather the Count of Paris that the young child could not be buried in the Chapel Royal of Dreux as he was not a dynast, was a blow to Thibaut and Marion.
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| The Count and Countess de La Marche, 28 June 1981. Photo (c) AKSARAN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images. |
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| Marion with her son Robert at the funeral of her husband Thibaut, 1983. Photo (c) Getty Images / Alain Mingam. |
After his release from prison, the Count of la Marche left France to organise safaris for tourists in the Central African Republic. Marion and their son Robert remained in France. On 23 March 1983, Prince Thibaut died at hospital in Bangui, in circumstances that have been considered by some to be mysterious. The prince was thirty-five years-old when he died. Thibaut's funeral was attended by most of the Royal Family of France; even the separated Count and Countess of Clermont and divorced Princess Claude and Prince Amedeo, Duke of Aosta, came together to support Marion and her son Robert.
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| Marion and Thibaut in Paris, 1977. Photo (c) AGIP / Bridgeman Images. |
After the death of her husband, Princess Marion focused on the upbringing of their only surviving son, Robert. In 1999, after her brother-in-law Prince Henri succeeded as Head of the Royal House of France, Henri retroactively recognised Thibaut and Marion's marriage and, in doing so, Henri declared that their son Robert is a dynastic member of the royal house. Princess Marion lives discretely and quietly; however, on occasion, one can still spot her attending Orléans family functions.
May Princess Marion be blessed with a very happy birthday!
what were Princess Marion's key contributions to royal diplomacy
- Marriage and Family: Princess Marion married Prince Thibaut d'Orléans in 1972, and they had a son, Robert, who was recognized as a dynastic member of the royal house by Prince Henri in 1999.
- Literary Works: Alongside her husband, Princess Marion co-authored six books in the Les Princes du sang series, detailing the fictional fate of a German princely family. The first book, A Castle in Bavaria, was published in English.
- Support for the Royal Family: Princess Marion has continued to support the Orléans family, attending occasional functions and maintaining a discreet public presence.
As we conclude our exploration of Princess Marion d'Orléans' remarkable life, we are reminded of the profound impact she had on the royal family. Her dedication to her husband, Prince Thibaut, and her son, Robert, was unwavering, and her passion for cultural discovery and family life was a constant source of inspiration. Through her work as an interpreter and her co-authorship of the Les Princes du sang series, Princess Marion demonstrated her commitment to understanding and sharing the stories of lesser-known peoples and their cultures. Her legacy serves as a testament to the enduring power of love, family, and cultural exchange.
As we celebrate Princess Marion's 80th birthday, we are reminded of the importance of preserving and honoring the memories of those who have made significant contributions to our understanding of the world. Her life, marked by a deep connection to the royal family and a passion for cultural discovery, is a shining example of the transformative power of love and family. As we move forward, let us continue to draw inspiration from Princess Marion's remarkable life and her unwavering dedication to her family and her passions. May her legacy serve as a reminder of the enduring impact that one person can have on the world, and may we continue to celebrate and honor the memories of those who have left an indelible mark on our lives.
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