Maria Beatrice Deste Collection
Maria Beatrice di Modena, an intriguing figure in English history, was the Italian-born queen consort of King James II of Great Britain
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Maria Beatrice di Modena, an intriguing figure in English history, was the Italian-born queen consort of King James II of Great Britain. In this portrait painted by Nicholas Dixon around 1673, she is depicted as Mary of Modena, the elegant and regal bride-to-be. Her marriage to James II in 1673 was a strategic alliance aimed at securing support from the powerful House of Habsburg. The joyous scene of the Three Wise Men's Feast, depicted in this engraving by Romeyn de Hooghe, reflects the hope and optimism surrounding the new union. However, the celebrations were short-lived, as political tensions and religious conflicts soon escalated. The coronation of James II in 1685, as depicted in this illustration from the "Illustrated London News," marked the pinnacle of his power. Yet, just a few years later, in 1688, the Glorious Revolution forced James into exile, and his queen consort, Maria Beatrice, followed him into exile. In this letter from King Louis XIV of France to Maria Beatrice, dated June 24, 1688, he offers her and her family refuge in France. Meanwhile, James II's eldest son, the Duke of Monmouth, begged for his life in this letter written in July 1685, as he faced the consequences of his rebellion against his father. Despite the tumultuous events, Maria Beatrice remained a steadfast supporter of her husband and continued to advocate for his cause even in exile. Her legacy as the queen consort of James II remains an intriguing chapter in the complex history of the British monarchy.