Bourbonists, the supporters of Louis XVI & his family during the French Revolution and beyond recognized Louis XVI’s very young son, who was technically Duke of Normandy, as Louis XVII. Louis XVII was born Louis-Charles. He was the second son of Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette but became the eldest upon the death of his brother Joseph.

Louis XVII was only born in 1785 though & died in prison in June of 1795, two years after his fathers execution. He was recognized as King of France by Bourbonists for the time after his father died prior to his own death. An autopsy found that his body was covered in scars due to abuse suffered in prison.

Conspiracy theories abounded claiming that he still lived, similar to those regarding Anastasia over a century later. John James Audobon, the naturalist and namesake of the Audobon Society, was even suspected of being Louis-Charles in some of those theories. Over 100 people claimed to be the “Lost Dauphin” at one time or another.