République e monarchia: una complessa riconciliazione

Abstract

République and monarchy: a difficult reconciliation – The article discusses how the different French regimes managed the transition with respect to the Crown Lands, and Jewels, and the private possessions of the former reigning families. The article first addresses the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom on the succession to the Throne and on the inalienability of the Crown Lands and Jewels. The analysis then follows the forfeiture of Crown Lands and private properties of the former royal families from the Restauration until the Third Republic from the one hand and the sale of most of the Crown Jewels in 1886 under the Third Republic from the other hand. In the same year 1886, the French Parliament also passes a legislation exiling the heir apparent to the French Throne of all the former royal families until its repeal in 1950. Finally, the article examines the present-day dynastic quarrels between the Spanish branch of the House of Bourbon and the House of Orléans and the lawsuits brought by the House of Orléans against the Fondation Saint-Louis and the Institut de France.

Keywords: Monarchy; Crown lands and jewels; Coat of arms; Titles; Dynastic quarrels; Exile; Confiscation