"Monsieur", as he was simply called, being Louis XIV's only brother, was born at Saint-Germain. Son of king Louis XIII, he was a valliant soldier and fought with heroism at the side of his brother.

It is undeniable that Philippe was a homosexual. There definitely was a royal policy of letting any possible contender of the legitimate monarch run free, and so discredit himself.

His inclination toward homosexuality had not been discouraged, with the hope of reducing any threat he may have posed to his older brother. Reportedly, Cardinal Mazarin even arranged for the de-flowering of Philippe at the hands of his own nephew, Philip Julian Mancini. Monsieur had found his great love in Philippe de Lorraine-Armagnac, chevalier de Lorraine (see).

Dependent upon Louis in every way, Monsieur revenged himself in the only way he knew: he flaunted his homosexuality. Perfumed, bejewelled and extravagantly clothed in lace and silk, Monsieur made no secret of his "femininity", or his preference for male companions and lovers.

His private life was, in fact, something scandalous, mainly because of his favourite and lover, the Chevalier of Lorraine, who had a morbid ascendancy over him. He aimed at the crown of Spain, but his brother preferred him his nephew Philippe of Anjou.