Duke of Berry

Arms of the dukes of Berry (after 1376).

The title of Duke of Berry (duc de Berry) in the French nobility was frequently created for junior members of the French royal family. The Berry region now consists of the départements of Cher, Indre and parts of Vienne. The capital of Berry is Bourges.

Duke of Berry, first creation (1360)

John, Duke of Berry (1340–1416), third son of John II of France. Died without surviving male issue.

Duke of Berry, second creation (1416)

John, Dauphin of France (1398–1417), eldest son of Charles VI, King of France, who died shortly afterwards.

Duke of Berry, third creation (1417)

Charles, Duke of Berry (1403–1461), younger son of Charles VI, who had also been given the title Duke of Touraine. He succeeded to the throne in 1422 as Charles VII, King of France.

Duke of Berry, fourth creation (1461)

Charles of Valois, Duke of Berry (1446–1472), younger son of Charles VII, exchanged Berry for Normandy in 1465.

Duke of Berry, fifth creation (1472)

Francis of Valois, Duke of Berry (1472 – 1473), sixth son of Louis XI. Died in infancy.

Duke of Berry, sixth creation (1517)

Margaret of Angoulême, Duchess of Berry (1492–1549), daughter of Charles, Count of Angoulême and only sister of Francis I, King of France.

Duke of Berry, seventh creation (1550)

Margaret of France, Duchess of Berry (1523–1574), sister of Henry II, King of France.

Duke of Berry, eighth creation (1576)

Francis (1555–1584), Duke of Alençon, brother of Charles IX, King of France, was created Duke of Anjou, of Berry and of Touraine

Duke of Berry, ninth creation (1686)

Charles, Duke of Berry (1686–1714), third son of Louis, le Grand Dauphin and grandson of Louis XIV, King of France, received the title (but not the duchy) at his birth. He was created Duke of Alençon and of Angoulême in 1710, but continued to use the title of Berry until his death in 1714.

Duke of Berry, tenth creation (1754)

Louis-Auguste (1754–1793), grandson of Louis XV, King of France, who was also given the Berry title at his birth in 1754. He became Dauphin in 1765 and succeeded as Louis XVI, King of France in 1774.

Duke of Berry, eleventh creation (1776)

Charles, Count of Artois, Duke of Berry (1757–1836), younger brother of Louis XVI, was given the duchy of Berry in 1776, but he continued to be known by his comital title. He succeeded as Charles X, King of France in 1824.
His second son was Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry (1778–1820) was known by the courtesy title of Duke of Berry from his birth in 1778 to his assassination in 1820.

Present use

The title is currently used by Prince Alphonse of Bourbon, second son of the legitimist claimant to the French throne Louis Alphonse, Duke of Anjou.