As you will see by my previous post, I have become a little obsessed by a TV series called Versailles.

It originally aired in 2016, so I’m a little late to the ball game for this one.
I blame my Uni work. For the last two years, there’s really been no time for wasting time on TV shows, so I’m more than a little behind on EVERYTHING!!

Anyway, from the very first episode, I have been totally enamoured by Alexander Vlahos who plays Philippe, the younger flamboyant brother of Louis the XIV.

As I got more into the show, I decided to research how much of this character was based in reality.
Turns out, pretty much all of it!!

Duke of Orleans.
He won several major battles for his brother.
During the reign of Louis, he was simply known as Monsieur.
He was the founder of the House of Orleans and a direct ancestor to Louis Philippe I, who ruled France from 1830 to 1848.
Although he was open about his homosexual behaviour and freely acted effeminately, he fulfilled his royal duty and married twice fathering several children. Through the children of his two marriages, Philippe became an ancestor of most modern-day Roman Catholic royalty, giving him the nickname of “the grandfather of Europe.

Even when he was married, he reportedly carried on open romantic affairs, with no regard to either of his two wives.

Among Philippe’s lovers, one man stands out, Philip of Lorraine-Armagnac, the never-married Chevalier de Lorraine, (played by Evan Williams and deserving of a Dish of the Week too!!) who was described as “insinuating, brutal and devoid of scruple”. This character is used to great and sometimes very amusing effect in the show. Although how he managed to keep his head after, historically, not one, but two stays in prison, one of which was for treason, is a miracle!! Philippe must have really loved him!

Anyway, this is becoming a blog about Philippe… let’s get back to Alexander.

Alexander is 5’10” and was born on the 30th of July, 1988 in Swansea, South Wales and his first language is Welsh.
Damn it! I’m old enough to be his mother!! This is ridiculous.

He his probably best known in the UK for his role as Mordred in BBC fantasy show, ‘Merlin’ where he earned rave reviews for his portrayal as the young Druid destined to kill King Arthur.

Apart from Versailles, what have I seen him in?

NOTHING!!

Well, I’ve seen a few seconds of Merlin because my kids have been watching it recently, but Versailles is it!
I look forward to seeing where his career goes.

Now, back to Versailles!