Anne of Austria

Also known as: Anne / queen-mother / the queen / the queen-mother / your majesty · Family: French court · Role: queen-mother · First appears: Chapter 22

As queen-mother at chapter 22, Anne of Austria prolonged Louis XIV’s impatience with teasing interruptions while he was absorbed in his secret attachment. In chapter 23, she ordered Duchess d'Orleans to summon Mademoiselle de la Vallière before the court, then sent her daughter-in-law away; in chapter 24, she treated Mademoiselle de la Vallière as someone with whom she could have only an official connection and threatened to send her away for serious reflection. She also dealt formally with Duchess d'Orleans, while Madame de Chevreuse described Anne as having grievances against her; Anne was married to Mazarin and Louis XIII.

In 1620 at the Palais Royal, a second prince was born beside Louis XIV, creating a concealed succession crisis. Madame de Chevreuse revealed that this twin had been condemned to misery and concealment, then unmasked herself before Anne; Anne accepted her presence and embraced her, saying, “Ah!” murmured Anne of Austria; “come and embrace me, duchesse.” During the same crisis, Anne was with Madame de Motteville and Senora Molina, her friends, while Perronnette attended her; Madame de Chevreuse became the confidante of the secret.

In 1644, Madame de Chevreuse showed that she had retained Anne’s dangerous letter about the unhappy child. Anne agreed to stay at Dampierre, wrote an order to finance its repairs, and dismissed her with a warm embrace. In 1645, Madame de Chevreuse reported that the child and his tutor had been recognized alive and flourishing in Touraine. Later, Louis XIV, brought up by Mazarin and Anne, knew his vocation as a monarch.