Prince Rupert of Baden

Prince Rupert of Baden, later Prince Rupert, Duke of Normandy (16 February 1649 – 23 May 1678) was the second husband of Queen Catherine of England and France.

The third son of Ludwig XII of Baden, Rupert seldom gained much attention from either of his parents, and in his teenage years was prone to exploration and adventure, serving in countless mercenary units and armies across the continent. Rupert was well-known for his personality conflicts with his elder brother, Ludwig XIII, who eventually inherited the duchy.

Marriage and death
In 1670, upon the death of Henry II of Spain who was also Henry VIII of England and France, Queen Catherine was left widowed. Although multiple suitors were entertained, Rupert was eventually chosen for the marriage due to the ties it would bring with the powerful German principality. Rupert was ennobled in 1671 as the Duke of Normandy, although he never visited his domain.

For unknown reasons, Rupert and Catherine never produced any issue; neither was Rupert ever named king consort as his predecessor, Henry, had been. It is apparent that their marriage was completely loveless. In the later years of their union, both monarch and consort slept in separate bedchambers.

On 23 May 1678, Rupert died. The contemporary diagnosis was syphilis. He is buried at the Cathedral of Our Lady in Bordeaux.