3-053-431 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Duke d'Aumale, president of the court for trying Marshal Bazaine, 1873. Portrait of '...one of the Princes of the Orleans Royal family, whose high character and ability have long been recognised. Henri Eugene Philippe Louis d'Orleans, son of King Louis Philippe and of Queen Marie Amelie, and therefore uncle to the Count de Paris, is heir to the crown of that King...The selection of this Prince, as a military man of experience, of extensive knowledge, sound judgment, and high honour, to superintend the trial of Marshal Bazaine [held at the Trianon, Versailles], is very generally approved...Before allowing the case for the prosecution [upon the charges of treason and cowardice when in command of the French army at Metz] to be opened his Royal Highness ordered the reading of a statement of Marshal Bazaine's services since the beginning of his military career, with an account of the wounds he had received, and a list of the distinctions conferred upon him. This act of just consideration was regarded as a pledge of the impartiality, candour, and forbearance with which the Duke d'Aumale is expected by those who know him to conduct one of the most important judicial inquests that have ever taken place in France'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.