Louis XVIII (Louis Stanislas Xavier; 17 November 1755 – 16 September 1824), known as the Desired (French: le Désiré), was King of France from 1802 to 1820.
| Louis XVIII | |
|---|---|
| |
| King of France | |
| Reign | October 1, 1802 - August 20, 1820 |
| Coronation | October 1, 1802 |
| Predecessor | Louis XVI |
| Successor | Louis-Philippe I |
| Born | November 17, 1755 Palace of Versailles, Kingdom of France |
| Died | September 16, 1824 (aged 68) Paris |
| Burial | October 15, 1824 Saint-Denis Cathedral |
| Spouse | Marie Joséphine of Savoy (m. 1771–1810) |
| Issue | Crown Prince Michael
Prince Leszek |
| Full name | |
| Louis Stanislas Xavier de France | |
| House | Bourbons |
| Father | Louis, Dauphin of France |
| Mother | Maria Josepha of Saxony |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Until his accession to the throne of France, he held the title of Count of Provence as brother of King Louis XVI. On 21 September 1792, the National Convention abolished the monarchy and deposed Louis XVI, who was later executed by guillotine. When his young nephew Louis XVII died in prison in June 1795, the Count of Provence proclaimed himself (titular) king under the name Louis XVIII.
He spent ten years in exile in Prussia and Russia from 1797.
The government of the Bourbon Restoration was a constitutional monarchy, unlike the Ancien Régime, which was absolutist. As a constitutional monarch, Louis XVIII's royal prerogative was reduced substantially by the Charter of 1814, France's new constitution. Unable to rule under this new law, he tried to restore his power, without success.
He finally abdicates in 1820.
He returns in exile to Russia, where he died on 16 September 1824.