Charles X Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Charles X, born in 1757, was the last Bourbon King of France. He ascended to the throne in 1824, following the reigns of his brothers, Louis XVI and Louis XVIII. As a younger prince, Charles was known for his conservative views and opposition to the French Revolution, which ultimately led to the execution of his brother Louis XVI and the abolition of the monarchy.

During the tumultuous years of the Revolution and Napoleon’s rule, Charles spent much of his time in exile. From 1805 to 1814, he resided at 72 South Audley Street in London’s fashionable Mayfair district, located in the Borough of Westminster. This area has long been associated with the aristocracy and wealthy upper classes.

As king, Charles X sought to restore the absolute monarchy and the power of the Catholic Church in France. His ultra-conservative policies, such as limiting freedom of the press and restricting voting rights, proved unpopular with the French people. In 1830, after just six years on the throne, Charles was forced to abdicate during the July Revolution. He fled to England once more before eventually settling in Austria, where he died in 1836.

Charles X’s reign marked the end of the Bourbon dynasty, which had ruled France for over two centuries. His legacy is one of a monarch out of touch with the changing times, unable to adapt to the growing demands for democracy and reform in 19th-century France. Despite his brief and controversial rule, Charles X’s life and exile in London offer a fascinating glimpse into the complex history of the French monarchy and its ties to England during a period of great political upheaval.