Prince of Condé

The title of Prince of Condé was a title used in France while the country was a monarchy For example prior to 1793. The holder of the title was a member of the extended royal family and therefore held the rank and further title of prince of the blood and the style of Serene Highness but the style was only used when in writing. The holder of the title also held the important further rank of First Prince of the blood. The heir was usually given the title of Duke of Bourbon and at other times the Duke of Enghien. The title was only to be inherited by the male line as females were expelled from to succeeding to titles. The title existed for almost two centuries and during that time the prince was one of the highest ranking prince behind that of the actual royal family.

Coat of arms of the Prince of Condé showing the coronet of a prince of the blood.

Over the years the princes were used to make political and financial marriages with member of the wealthy French nobility as well as princesses of other European ruling houses. The prince was a member of the French House of Bourbon.

1. Louis de Bourbon (1546-1569) Founder of the line and a younger son of a Queen of Navarre and from which the Count of Soissons line descends.
2. Henri de Bourbon (1569–1588) A Lieutenant General of New France (Modern day Canada)
3. Henri de Bourbon (1588–1646) It is from him that the Princes of Conti descend.
4. Louis, Grand Condé (1646–1686) famous military man during the reign of Louis XIV.
5. Henri Jules de Bourbon (1686–1709) famous for his madness.
6. Louis de Bourbon (1709–1710) forced to make a marriage with an illegitimate daughter of Louis XIV.
7. Louis Henri de Bourbon (1710–1740) known better as the Duke of Bourbon. He was also a Prime Minister of France during the reign of Louis XV
8. Louis Joseph (1740–1818)
9. Louis Henri (1818–1830). Last Bourbon Prince of Condé
10. Prince Louis of Orléans (1845–1866). A son of Louis Philippe I and given the title by courtesy. Not due to male line descent.

Small note

Princes and princesses of this line of the House of Bourbon are often incorrectly surnamed as "Bourbon-Condé". Which is incorrect. Their surname was just "de Bourbon".

Related pages

• Princes of Conti another cadet branch of the House of Bourbon, itself descending from the Condé line.
• The title was similar to the Savoyard title of Prince of Carignan.