British Monarch. Queen consort of King Charles I. The youngest daughter of King Henry IV of France, she was married to Charles by proxy in May of 1625 shortly after his accession to the throne. They were married in person on June 13 of that year. Her Roman Catholic faith made it impossible for her to be crowned in the Anglican service. Though their relationship was initially cold, in time they forged deep bonds of love and affection. She had 10 children, six of whom survived to adulthood. Her faith made her suspect and unpopular, and as England moved toward civil war, she openly sought funds to support her husband. Her concentration on Catholic sources only hindered Charles' efforts. When the war began, the queen was in Europe, but she returned immediately to rally Royalist support. When Charles' position collapsed, she fled to France with her children. Charles' execution in 1649 left her near destitute. She returned to England briefly after the Restoration, but settled permanently in France in 1665. Her financial problems having been settled by a generous pension, she died at Chateau de Colombes at the age of 59. The state of Maryland was named in her honor.
Bio by: Kristen Conrad