François-Ferdinand-Philippe-Louis-Marie d'Orléans Joinville

François d'Orléans, Prince de Joinville (14 August 1818 – 16 June 1900) was the third son of Louis Philippe, King of the French, and his wife Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily. An admiral of the French Navy, François was famous for bringing the remains of Napoleon from Saint Helena to France, as well as a talented artist, with 35 known watercolours. He married Princess Francisca of Brazil, daughter of Emperor Pedro I and sister of Emperor Pedro II. The dowry received by François upon the marriage became the Brazilian city of Joinville.

François and Francisca's grandson Jean went on to become the Orléanist claimant to the extinct French throne, a claim passed on to his son, grandson and now great-grandson Jean, Count of Paris, current Orléanist claimant to the French crown.

Early life and military career

He was born François-Ferdinand-Philippe-Louis-Marie d'Orléans at the Château de Neuilly, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. Educated for the navy, he was commissioned lieutenant in 1836. His first conspicuous service was at the Bombardment of San Juan de Ulúa, in November 1838, commanding the corvette Créole, when he headed a landing party and took the Mexican general Mariano Arista prisoner at Veracruz.

The Prince was promoted to captain of the frigate La Belle Poule, and in 1840 was entrusted with bringing the remains of Napoleon from Saint Helena to France.

Marriage to Francisca of Brazil

In 1838, François had made his first trip to Brazil, where he had been warmly hosted by Emperor Pedro II, son of Emperor Pedro I of Brazil and Archduchess Leopoldina of Austria, a Habsburg. During his time in the Brazilian court, François met Princess Francisca, Pedro's younger daughter, his first cousin once removed, then 14 years old.