The French Unionist Project

Readers will not doubt notice certain terms used throughout this website. This post is intended to give reasons for certain terminology.

First, the Project tends to use the French spelling of Henri to refer to French monarchs of that name. This is to differentiate from the English monarchs, who will be referred to with the English spelling (Henry).

In a similar manner, we will use the Spanish spelling Carlos to differentiate from the French Charles.

The Project refers to itself as Unionist to differentiate from Orleanists, who supported the July Monarchy. We do not recognise the July Monarchy and consider Charles X to have been the rightful king until his death.

Further, since most Legitimists recognised the House of Orleans as the rightful House of France in 1883, there was a “union” between the liberal Orleanists and the right-winged Legitimists.

Anjouists are those who support the claim of the Spanish Bourbons. Philip V of Spain, the first Spanish Bourbon, was previously the Duke of Anjou. The current Anjouist claimant, Luis Alfonso de Borbon, also uses the title Duke of Anjou (even though he has no right to such title).

While Angevin would be a more correct term, we don’t want to cause further confusion. There was something called the Angevin Empire, ruled by the English Plantagenets, who ruled over England and half of France.

As for the term Legitimists, it is inappropriate to simply refer to Anjouists as Legitimists because:

1. The Spanish Bourbons are not legitimate;
2. Most Legitimists recognised the House of Orleans in 1883;
3. Unionists are Legitimists and believe in upholding the Fundamental Laws;
4. Anjouists reject the Fundamental Law that requires the king to be French;