Madame De Maintenon
Madame de Maintenon, mistress of Louis XIV, married the king in the winter of 1685–1686 privately by François de Harlay de Champvallon, archbishop of Paris, in the presence, it is believed, of Père la Chaise, the king's confessor, the Marquis de Montchevreuil, the chevalier de Forbin, and Alexandre Bontemps. Owing to the inequality of social status, she and the King did not marry openly (which would have allowed her to become queen). No written proof of the marriage is extant, but that it took place is nevertheless certain. It is important to remember that Madame de Maintenon was never queen of France, simply a royal consort.
Read more about this topic: List Of French Consorts
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