French aristocrat and military commander Philippe, duc d’Orléans was BOTD in 1640. Born at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, he was the younger son of King Louis XIII and styled the Duke of Anjou from birth. His elder brother became Louis XIV at age three, and the country was jointly governed by their mother Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin until Louis came of age. Philippe became Duke of Orléans in 1660, making him fabulously wealthy. He married twice, to Henrietta of England (the sister of King Charles II) and to Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate, fathering seven children, though his sexual preferences were primarily for men. Known for his effeminate behaviour and love of female dress (he often attended balls costumed as a shepherdess), his homosexuality was tolerated as it was seen to reduce any threat he posed to the King. His lovers included the Chevalier de Lorraine and the Comte de Guiche, whom he promoted to powerful positions at court. Somewhat surprisingly, he proved to be a competent military commander, winning the Battle of Cassel against Protestant forces led by William of Orange. After his victory, Phillippe retired and lived entirely for pleasure, renovating the Palais-Royal and the Château de Saint-Cloud, collecting art and marrying his children to the royal families of Europe. He died in 1701 aged 60. He has been portrayed multiple times on screen, notably by Stanley Tucci in the film A Little Chaos and by Alexander Vlahos in the TV drama series Versailles.