Behind every successful man there’s a woman, so the saying goes. In the case of royalty however, it’s gorgeous mistresses!
Lillie Langtry – 19th century actress. Lover of millionaires and royalty including King Edward VII, ‘Bertie’ of England. Wrote ‘The days I knew’, best-selling autobiography. 1st woman to break the bank at Monte Carlo.
Madame de Pompadour – born Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson in 18th century. Destined to reign over a king’s heart. Highly educated, creative. King Louis XV of France smitten. She lived in his apartment at Versailles with a huge library of books. Patron of artists and writers like Voltaire, Montesquieu, Diderot. She’s best remembered for her portrayal in an episode of Doctor Who, ‘The Girl in the Fireplace’.
Maria Ricci, Countess Walewska – 18th century Poland. Married to Count Walewska. Napoleon of France wooed Maria with expensive jewels which she returned, saying ‘he treats me like a prostitute’. Only after Napoleon vowed he would favourably consider Poland’s plight if Maria was his lover, did she submit to his advances. Maria loved Napoleon till the end. Offered to join him in exile at St. Helena.
Diane de Poitiers – ultimate Renaissance cougar. French King Henry offered Diane a relationship. Henry was married to Catherine de Medici of Italy. Diane reigned as queen in all but name. Wrote official letters on Henry’s behalf signed ‘HenriDiane’. After his death, Catherine’s intense jealousy banished Diane from court, seized magnificent ‘Chateau of Chenonceau’, Henry’s 1st gift to Diane.
Barbara Villiers – King Charles II of England said ‘she hath all the tricks as a sex goddess, to give intense pleasure’! Charles forced his queen, Catherine of Braganza to accept Barbara. On his deathbed, he asked his brother James II to be kind to Barbara.
Gabrielle d’Estrées – one of King Henry IV’s of France’s 56 documented mistresses. She’s best remembered for a painting at Louvre – Gabrielle nude in a bath. A rare mistress having a positive impact on king. Persuaded Protestant Henry to return to Catholic Church and issue Edict of Nantes – religious freedom to French Protestants. French nobility didn’t appreciate her influence. She was poisoned to death.
Wish had a chance to meet these gorgeous women, listen to their interesting experiences and stories!