Philippe, Duc d’Orléans: in the shadow of the Sun King
You're Dead to Me
BBC
4.7 • 11.8K Ratings
🗓️ 13 February 2026
⏱️ 59 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Greg Jenner is joined in 17th-century France by Dr Jonathan Spangler and comedian Tom Allen to learn all about Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, Louis XIV’s younger brother. King Louis XIV is one of the most famous monarchs in French history: the man who built and presided over the glittering court at Versailles, established himself as an absolute ruler, and whose 72-year reign is still the longest in European history. But what about his younger brother, Philippe? Who was the man who grew up and lived in the shadow of the Sun King? Raised to defer to his brother at all costs, his promising military career was cut short when it seemed like he might outshine Louis. When all eyes were on him as heir to the throne, he would wear dresses to provoke shock at courtly balls. He balanced his marriage to his witty German wife, Liselotte, with a decades-long relationship with his aristocratic male lover, the Chevalier de Lorraine – and other men of the court. And he maintained an image as a louche and irresponsible courtier while increasing his personal wealth through clever financial management. This episode explores the complexities and contradictions of Philippe’s life, and examines the difficult position of second sons in royal history.
If you’re a fan of royal sibling rivalries, the gossip and glamour of the French court, and queer history, you’ll love our episode on Philippe, Duc d’Orléans.
If you want more fascinating French royals, listen to our episodes on Catherine de Medici and Marie Antoinette. And for more LGBTQ+ history, check out our episodes on heretical lesbian nun Benedetta Carlini and the Bloomsbury Group.
You’re Dead To Me is the comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Every episode, Greg Jenner brings together the best names in history and comedy to learn and laugh about the past.
Hosted by: Greg Jenner Research by: Emma Mitchell Written by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Dr Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner Produced by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Production Coordinator: Gill Huggett Senior Producer: Dr Emma Nagouse Executive Editor: Philip Sellars
Transcript
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| 0:47.3 | First on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:50.8 | Hello and welcome to You're Dead to Me, the Radio 4 comedy podcast that takes history seriously. |
| 0:56.0 | My name is Greg Jenner. I'm a public historian, author and broadcaster. And today we are slipping |
| 1:00.0 | into our ballgowns and sauntering over to 17th century France to learn all about Louis XIV, less |
| 1:04.8 | famous but more fabulous brother, Philippe Duke de Orleans. And to help us, we have two very special guests. In History Corner, he's a senior lecturer in history at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he specialises in the aristocracy of early modern France and its neighbours. Luckily for us, he's also an expert on royal courts, and is the author of Monsieur, Second Sons in the Monarchy of France. It's Dr Jonathan Spangler. Welcome, Jonathan. Hello, thanks. |
| 1:28.3 | It's great to be here today. |
| 1:29.3 | Delighted to have you here. And in Comedy Corner. He's a top-class comedian, writer and presenter. You'll know him from loads of comedy TV shows, as well as from Bake Off and Extra Slice, The Apprentice You're Fired. Maybe you've read his hilarious memoirs, no shame and too much. Or perhaps you've listened to one of his podcasts, like-minded friends, and pottering. |
| 1:46.4 | It's Tom Allen. |
| 1:47.5 | Welcome to the show, Tom! is memoirs, no shame and too much? Or perhaps you've listened to one of his podcasts, like-minded |
| 1:44.8 | friends and pottering. It's Tom Allen. Welcome to the show, Tom. Oh, Greg, thank you for that |
| 1:49.7 | lovely welcome. I'm so excited to be here, especially with Jonathan, whose speciality is exactly |
| 1:55.2 | what I'm interested in, second sons in aristocracies across northern Europe. |
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