Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily (Reign of Kings)

Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily (26 April 1782 – 24 March 1866) was Queen of France was wife of King Louis XVII, and she served as regent for her grandson Louis XVIII. The years during which her grandson reigned have been called "the age of Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily" as she had extensive, if at times varying, influence in the political life of France.

Early years
to be added

Queen Consort
to be added

Regent of France
Upon the death of her husband, Duchess Helene of Mecklenburg-Schwerin became regent. Distrusting the german princess, the National Guard staged a coup d'état to depose the Regent with the help of four regiments of the royal guard invaded the Bourbon Palace, and forced the Duchess to resign, upon which Maria and became regent during his minority, and she quickly moved herself into the Louvre Palace with the young king. Maria's regency was threatened, however, as Louis's claim to the throne was disputed by Charles Philippe, Count of Artois, who led the Ultra-Royalists. Charles' attempt to seize power resulted in the Liberal Wars. Despite considerable support for Charles from conservative elements in France, Louis's side (also known as "Legitimists") successfully retained the throne for her grandson. And at the same time with support from the British, Maria Amalia overcame the aristocratic revolt, led by Frondeurs that became known as the Second Fronde.

The Regent let her ministers take full charge of government affairs, playing a far lesser role than her husband. The Regent let her ministers take full charge of government affairs, playing a far lesser role than his husband. The principle that the prime minister was the person supported by a majority in the Chamber of Deputies, whether the king personally favoured him or not, became established. Her governments, with little help from the Regent, presided over French policy. She gave her Prime Minister, Alphonse Henri, comte d'Hautpoul, lists of laws that he wanted ratified every time he opened parliament.

Alphonse Henri had no qualms about invoking Article 87 of the 1815 Charter, which empowered the King to issue 'urgent and extraordinary' emergency decrees 'during the recess of the Parliament. Henri's most famous legislative act, the change in peasant land tenure, was promulgated under Article 87. Playing little role besides presiding over the government councils chaired by the regent.

Retirement
to be added

Death
to be added