Catherine-Charlotte de Gramont
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Catherine-Charlotte de Gramont (1639 - Paris, June 4, 1678) was Princess of Monaco and mistress of Louis XIV.
She was daughter of Antoine III de Gramont, Marshal of France.
She was renown for her beauty and wits.
In 1660, Catherine married Louis I, Prince of Monaco, Duke of Valentinois, heir to the throne of Monaco , described as a glorious and avaricious Italian. They had six children.
Catherine and her husband stayed more in Paris than in Monaco, and were well established at the Royal Court. Catherine became lady-in-waiting to the household of Henrietta of England, sister-in-law and former lover of Louis XIV. Catherine's beauty wasn't unnoticed and she attracted many lovers. She was nicknamed Catherine the Torrent and Madame de Sévigné described her as greedy for pleasure.
Louis XIV, who was losing interest in his mistress Louise de la Vallière, started a relationship with Catherine lasting a few months. In reality this was a plot by Henrietta of England to turn the King away from Louise and gaining him back for herself.
Catherine's husband, Louis I, Prince of Monaco diplomatically left Court and went off to war.
King Louis did in fact leave Catherine after a few months, not to go back to Henrietta, but in favor of Madame de Montespan.
Some gossip has it that, during this short affair, Catherine also had an intimate relationship with Henrietta.
Catherine de Gramont died in Paris on June 4, 1678, aged 39.
