UN: AnnaMarie
Surname: Descoteaux
DH: Prince Jean-Philippe Augustin Jacques Thibault Descoteaux, Prince Philippe (22)
DW: Princess Valentina Isabella Maddalena [nee de'Medici] Descoteaux, Princess Valentina (18)
Station: Brother & Sister-in-law to the King
Prince Philippe is a brave man, skilled in archery and a fine marksman. He is the second son born to his dearly loved deceased father... though he is second only by minutes as King Leopold is actually his twin. To ask Philippe if he believed that Leopold was a worthy ruler, and he would probably disagree. Many have suggested that Philippe would have been the better suited brother, but twins or not, Leopold was older regardless of the fact that it was by mere minutes, and therefore he was named Crown Prince.
Philippe resides in the palace in the capital city of Orlais, Val Royeaux. Val Royeaux is a beautiful city and Philippe loves nothing more than to wander it's cobbled streets and speak with the people. He is well loved, but at the same time not necessarily well trusted. The people of Orlais are quite divided between those who support King Leopold's, and those who support Prince Philippe. Philippe's supporters think that perhaps the fact that they were twins meant that their individual attributes and suitabilities should have played a larger role in choosing which twin became King, versus just which was slightly older, and if they had, they believe Prince Philippe would be King. Naturally due to this division over which brother should rule, there has been some animosity between the two brothers. Philippe often laments this as they had been very close as children, but knows his duty to Orlais must always come first, and that includes ensuring that it has an able leader on the throne.
Philippe also acts as a diplomatic liason to other countries to forge new bonds of friendship, and to secure new trade routes and the like. It was on one such trip to Italy that Philippe met young Lady Valentina de'Medici. He was smitten with the beauty and promptly arranged a marriage with her father who was more than pleased to give his daughter to a charming prince! Philippe and Valentina married recently in Val Royeaux in an elaborate ceremony to which all of Orlais was invited. They are very fond of each other, and are definitely passionately attracted to each other so they feel that their bond, whilst beneficial in a diplomatic sense, will also soon blossom into love. Valentina loves Orlais and is very happy there, especially since her cousin Diana now also resides there since her marriage. Valentina and Diana also have cousins marriaged into the Kaarmann family in Bial, Giacomo & Eloisa, so they are very pleased to be closer to them as well.
Philippe also has 5 younger siblings, though only 3, Joseph, Annabella & Cécile are publically recognised, the other two come in the form of an illegitamate daughter of his father, and a cousin whom was raised along he and his siblings. He once had 6 though, his best friend and biggest supporter was his sister Juliette, who would now be 20 years old if she had not passed away. Juliette left Orlais to marry the Bialian Prince Max three years ago... Philippe wasn't sure about the marriage as Juliette was only 17 when it occured, but it was a thank you to King Walter for his support during the war and Juliette was happy there and quite fond of her husband. She and Philippe wrote and visited often, particulary when their father died not long after her marriage, and Philippe also remembers well the joy in her letter when she told him she was pregnant only months later. Philippe was happy for her and looked forward to welcoming his first niece or nephew, but when word came that Juliette had died whilst in childbirth Philippe was devestated. She was just 18. He has yet to meet little Elsie, the niece whos birth killed his sister, but one day will.
On the same day as Juliette's birth however, another woman also gave birth to a daughter whom she named Anne... Anne was born to King Charles's mistress and the likeness between the two babes was striking to the point that there have been whispers that the two babes were switched at some point by careless chambermaids, no one really knows however and it could be just a rumour. Anne, or Ninon as she was affectionately known, was raised among the nobility and grew up with the royal children. Philippe accepts Ninon as a sister, though her paternage will never be publically acknowledged.
The other sibling-who-is-not-a-sibling is Élisabeth. Élisabeth is actually Philippe's cousin but arrived at the palace 13 years ago after her mothers death. Her father travelled a lot and was unable to raise a 6 year old girl on his own so left her with her aunt & uncle, the King & Queen. Élisabeth, along with Juliette, had always been Philippe's support through the hard times and he loves her as a sister. Élisabeth has recently married a Duke after a long betrothal and he is very pleased that she has stayed in Orlais.
Philippe's younger brother, Joseph, he finds very frustrating as he is very careless and tends to use his infulence to woo his way into ladies bedchambers rather than for any benefit to Orlais, a position that Philippe just can not condone. As Prince's of Orlais they have responsibilites, and in infuriates Philippe that Joseph is so lax with his own. The attraction between Joseph and Valtentina's cousin Diana at his own wedding did not escape Philippe's notice, and in truth it was he who also pointed it out to Leopold. Leopold agreed that it was time Joseph grew up and perhaps a marriage would make him settle down. Leopold arranged the marriage with Diana's father who approved completely, pleased that both Diana and Valentina would have each other at the Palace as well. Joseph and Diana were soon married, much to Joseph's disgust, but it was time.
The second youngest child, Bella, is one of Philippe's favorite people, she is so sweet and good. Philippe has always had very soft spot in his heart for his little sisters, and this has become even more so in Bella's case since Juliette's death. He's always teased her about being a book worm as there was so many more productive things a Princess could be doing with her time, but she would oft just tease him in return and he adored that easy friendship between them. When the King of a neighbouring nation approached Leopold about acquiring her hand for his eldest son, both brother's felt that it was an excellent match, one their father would have been proud of them for making for his daughter had he still been alive. Ideally, Philippe would have liked to wait until Bella was a little older given the fate of Juliette after marrying so young, but unfortunately that was not possible. Bella left just prior to her 16th birthday and soon after married Prince Fredrick. Philippe misses her very much.
The baby of the royal family is Cécile. As part of the peace deal brokered with Queen Adelaïde of France at the end of the war, a daughter of Orlias was to be sent to France for her education and, and once she came of age she would marry one of the sons of France. Cécile was choosen as she had always wanted to study art in France so it seemed to be a good fit. She left Orlias at the age of 13 to study in Paris where she and her future husband, Prince Philippe, have slowly become acquainted. Philippe laughs at that naturally, telling Cécile that he must be a good name, after all aren't all Prince Philippe's brilliant... Philippe writes and visits Cécile in Paris as much as he is able, and the others all keep in touch as well. Philippe is quite pleased with the arrangement as it stands, glad that Cécile is being given a chance to mature and learn in France before having to marry as he would never allowed the marriage to occur before Cécile's 16th birthday.
This message was edited 2/19/2011, 12:12 PM