Marie Zéphyrine of France

Life

Marie Zéphyrine was born at the Palace of Versailles on the feast day of Pope Saint Zephyrinus after whom she would be named. Before her, the dauphine had given birth to two dead sons, which raised concerns about her ability to deliver healthy children. Maria Josepha was sent to the spa of Forges-les-Eaux to promote her fertility; the court hoped for a son to ensure the continuity of the House of Bourbon, as the dauphin was the only son of King Louis XV. A painting was even ordered to commemorate the birth of a healthy son in advance, which had to be re-touched when a girl was born instead. In the morning of 26 August, when the dauphine went into labour, the king was awakened and rushed to her room, as did 'all who were in Versailles'; some courtiers were present in their dressing gowns. When she was born at six in the evening, Marie Zéphyrine's sex caused general disappointment. Official festivities were ordered, but reportedly no 'joy' or 'pleasure' was displayed by Parisians.

According to the customs of her family, she was not fully baptised or named at birth. The short ceremony of ondoiement was performed by the grand almoner of France, Cardinal de Soubise. It consisted only of the sprinkling of holy water accompanied by the formula 'I thee baptise in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit'. Throughout her life, she was known as la petite Madame or Madame; she was baptised the day before her death, and received the name Marie Zéphyrine only then.

She was placed into the care of the duchess of Tallard, born Marie Isabelle de Rohan, who had been appointed governess of the Children of France in 1735 and had raised three of the dauphin's sisters. In the next years, she was joined by three brothers, Louis Joseph Xavier, Duke of Burgundy, Xavier Marie Joseph, Duke of Aquitaine, who died after five months, and Louis Auguste, Duke of Berry, the future King Louis XVI. She would become very close with the one closest to her in age, Burgundy.