G. Arloing - Signé; Ferdinand d'Orléans, duc de Montpensier (1884–1924) « Maison d'Orléans – Souvenirs du duc de

Photographic portraits of the Montpensier family by G. Arloing in Vichy, with a dedication and the Prince’s autograph signature.

1/ This is Ferdinand d'Orléans, Duke of Montpensier (1884–1924).
This photograph is signed by the Duke.

Ferdinand d'Orléans was the youngest son of the Count of Paris and the great-grandson of King Louis-Philippe I. A passionate explorer, he made numerous journeys, particularly to Indochina.
He is wearing the uniform of a lieutenant in the Spanish Royal Navy. As he was barred from serving in the French army under the law of exile that applied to royal families, he received his military training at the Spanish Naval Academy between 1898 and 1906. The white kepi (or naval officer’s cap) and the cut of the tunic are consistent with this rank.
The Duke was closely connected to the region. In 1910, he inherited the Château de Randan (near Vichy), where he regularly stayed, keeping his extensive hunting and taxidermy collections there. It was during his stays in Auvergne that he had his photograph taken at the local studio of Georges Arloing.

2/ This magnificent period photograph (cabinet card or carte de visite format) shows the four children of the Duke of Guise (Jean d'Orléans) and the Duchess of Guise (Isabelle d'Orléans), great-grandchildren of King Louis-Philippe I.

• Isabelle d'Orléans (1900–1983), who would become Countess d'Harcourt by marriage and later Princess Murat.
• Françoise d'Orléans (1902–1953), future Princess of Greece and Denmark (mother of Prince Michel of Greece).
• Anne d'Orléans (1906–1986), future Duchess of Aosta through her marriage to Prince Amédée of Savoy-Aosta.
• Henri d'Orléans (1908–1999), the youngest and only boy among the siblings (the little boy seated in the center), future Count of Paris and claimant to the throne of France.