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EARLY LIFE He was born on June 14 , 1933 , as son of Henri, Comte De Paris and his wife Isabelle Of Orleans-Braganza . He was born in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre , Belgium , because a 1886 law banned the heirs of formerly reigning French dynasties from entering France . This law was only abrogated in 1950 , but Henri had already been allowed to enter France by special favour of President Vincent Auriol in 1948 . On August 25 , 1940 , Henri's grandfather, Jean, Duc De Guise died. His father was now recognised by most French royalists as head of the French royal house, and Henri became their Dauphin . He studied at the '' Institut D'Etudes Politiques De Paris (Sciences Po)''. After that, he served in the military, notably during the Algerian War Of Independence . MARRIAGE & CHILDREN On July 5 , 1957 , he married Duchess Marie-Thérèse of Württemberg (born 1934 ). He received the title Comte de Clermont. Five children were born out of this union. # Marie (born 1959 ) married Prince Gundakar Of Liechtenstein (born 1949 ), and has issue # François (born 1961 ), Count Of Clermont , severely disabled. # Blanche (born 1962 ), severely disabled. # Jean (born 1965 ), Duke Of Vendôme and Dauphin de Viennois, unmarried. # Eudes (born 1968 ), Duke Of Angoulême , married to Marie-Liesse De Rohan-Chabot (born 1969 ), with whom he has two children The marriage was unhappy, and ended up in a divorce in of England, who at that time was regarded as lacking land and inheritance). Henri, and a number of French royalists who considered it impossible for a head of the royal house to unilaterally disinherit someone, never recognised his father's decision, and refused all mail addressed to him as Comte de Mortain. Meanwhile, Marie-Thérèse, the former Comtesse de Clermont, was granted the title "Duchesse de Montpensier" by her father-in-law. After a couple of years, tensions lessened, and Henri's father reinstated him as dauphin and gave Micaela the title "Princesse de Joinville". LEGAL CASES In an attempt to establish his legal rights as head of the Royal House of France, Henri launched an unsuccessful court case ( 1987 - 1989 ) in which he challenged his rival Luis Alfonso, "Duc D'Anjou" 's right to use the undifferenced Royal Arms. The French courts denied that they had jurisdiction over the dispute and did not address the merits of the case. SUCCESSION RIGHTS On June 19 , 1999 , Henri's father died and Henri became the new head of the French royal house (according to his supporters). He took the titles Comte De Paris and Duc de France. His wife became known as Duchesse de France, in order to enable Henri's widowed mother to continue to use the title Comtesse de Paris. On July 5 , 2003 , Henri's mother died, and Micaela started to use the title Comtesse de Paris. He claims the title of Duc de France as heir to Hugh Capet and Hugh's ancestors, before they were Kings of France. After his father's death, Henri annulled his father's decision to disinherit his brothers Michel (Comte D'Evreux) and Thibaut (the late Comte de la Marche) from their rights to the throne, because they married commoners. He also bestowed titles upon his nephews by brother Jacques, Duc d'Orleans, Prince Charles-Louis of Orléans, Duke of Chartres (11 Jul 1972 - ), m. 21/28 Jun 1997 Ileana Manos (22 Sep 1970 - ), and Prince Foulques of Orléans, Duke of Aumale (9 Jul 1974 - ) and comte d'Eu Foulques D'Orleans . He also recognised his eldest, disabled, son François as heir, with the title Count Of Clermont , with a 'regency' by his middle son, Prince Jean, Duke Of Vendôme . AUTHOR He wrote a number of books:
OTHER BUSINESS He is also a painter, and has launched his own brand of perfume. He ran in the European Elections Of 2004 , but he was not elected. SEE ALSO List Of French Monarchs , Members Of The French Royal Families EXTERNAL LINKS
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