💎 Princess Marion Celebrates 80 Years of Royal Legacy and Devotion

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

Princess Marion d'Orléans, Dowager Countess of La Marche, has made significant contributions to the royal family through her marriage to Prince Thibaut d'Orléans and her role as a mother. Here are some of her notable contributions:

1. Marriage and Family: Princess Marion married Prince Thibaut d'Orléans in 1972, and they had one surviving son, Robert. Her marriage was recognized by her brother-in-law Prince Henri in 1999, making Robert a dynastic member of the royal house.
2. Literary Works: During her marriage, Princess Marion and Prince Thibaut co-authored six books in the Les Princes du sang series, detailing the fate of a fictional German princely family. The first book was published in English under the title A Castle in Bavaria between 1973 and 1974.
3. Support for the Royal Family: After Prince Thibaut's death, Princess Marion focused on raising their son, Robert. She continues to live discreetly, occasionally attending Orléans family functions, demonstrating her commitment to the royal family and its traditions.

These contributions highlight Princess Marion's dedication to her family and her role within the royal house.

what impact did Princess Marion have on the upbringing of her son, Robert

Princess Marion d'Orléans, Dowager Countess of La Marche, had a significant impact on the upbringing of her son, Robert. After the death of her husband, Prince Thibaut d'Orléans, Princess Marion focused on raising Robert, ensuring his proper education and socialization within the royal family. Her dedication to her son's upbringing was evident in her continued involvement in his life, even after he became a dynastic member of the royal house in 1999, when her brother-in-law Prince Henri recognized their marriage.

how did Princess Marion balance her royal duties with raising Robert

Princess Marion d'Orléans, Dowager Countess of La Marche, balanced her royal duties with raising her son, Robert, after the death of her husband, Prince Thibaut d'Orléans. She focused on his upbringing, ensuring his proper education and socialization within the royal family. This dedication was evident even after her brother-in-law, Prince Henri, recognized their marriage and declared Robert a dynastic member of the royal house in 1999.

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). 

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. 

Thibaut and Marion.

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. 

Marion, Thibaut, and their eldest son Robert.

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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. 

The Count and Countess de La Marche, 28 June 1981. Photo (c) AKSARAN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.

In the months following his son's funeral, Thibaut d'Orléans was imprisoned for eighteen months for complicity in the theft of works of art. The case caused a stir and the problems of the Count and Countess of La Marche made the way to the front page of many French newspapers. Thibaut was tied with an attempt to steal works of art by Suzanne Courty.

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. 

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 are the main themes in the *Les Princes du sang* series

Princess Marion d'Orléans, Dowager Countess of La Marche, has made significant contributions to the royal family through her marriage to Prince Thibaut d'Orléans and her role as a mother. Here are some of her notable contributions:

1. Marriage and Family: Princess Marion married Prince Thibaut d'Orléans in 1972, and they had one surviving son, Robert. Her marriage was recognized by her brother-in-law Prince Henri in 1999, making Robert a dynastic member of the royal house.
2. Literary Works: During her marriage, Princess Marion and Prince Thibaut co-authored six books in the Les Princes du sang series, detailing the fate of a fictional German princely family. The first book was published in English under the title A Castle in Bavaria between 1973 and 1974.
3. Support for the Royal Family: After Prince Thibaut's death, Princess Marion focused on raising their son, Robert. She continues to live discreetly, occasionally attending Orléans family functions, demonstrating her commitment to the royal family and its traditions.

These contributions highlight Princess Marion's dedication to her family and her role within the royal house.

As we celebrate Princess Marion d'Orléans' 80th birthday, we are reminded of her remarkable life and contributions to the royal family. Born in Santiago, Chile, Marion Mercedes Gordon-Orr was the only daughter of James Gordon-Orr, an engineer, and Gertrude *Mercedes* Devia Hermosilla. Her marriage to Prince Thibaut d'Orléans in 1972 marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life, as she became a part of the Orléans family. The couple shared a passion for discovering lesser-known peoples and their cultures, which led them to write six books together in the *Les Princes du sang* series. These books detailed the fate of a fictional German princely family, showcasing their literary talents and dedication to their shared interests.

Princess Marion's dedication to her family and her role within the royal house is evident in her continued involvement in her son Robert's life, even after her husband's passing. Her commitment to her family and her cultural pursuits has left a lasting impact on those around her. As we mark this significant milestone in her life, we honor her legacy and the memories she has created. We wish Princess Marion a happy 80th birthday and a continued life filled with joy, love, and cultural pursuits. May her story serve as an inspiration to future generations, and may her contributions to the royal family continue to be celebrated and remembered.

what inspired Princess Marion and Prince Thibaut to write the *Les Princes du sang* series

Princess Marion d'Orléans and Prince Thibaut d'Orléans were inspired to write the Les Princes du sang series due to their shared passion for discovering lesser-known peoples and their cultures. This interest led them to create a four-volume saga that follows a fictional royal family, the Hartburgs, through the political turmoil of Europe between World War I and World War II.