The Last King of France

Balthazar Napoleon de Bourbon – now there’s an aristocratic name that rolls off the tongue. And why shouldn’t it? The owner of that name claims direct lineage from the Bourbon dynasty. Bourbon kings first ruled Navarre and France in the 16th century. By the 18th century, members of the Bourbon dynasty also held thrones in Spain, Naples, Sicily, and Parma. Spain and Luxembourg currently have Bourbon monarchs. The last ruling Bourbon monarch was overthrown in 1848.

One would imagine that Balthazar lives on an ancestral estate on the outskirts of Paris, with a summer home in St. Tropez, perhaps. One would be wrong. Balthazar, a 48-year-old lawyer and part-time farmer, lives in a nondescript by lane, tucked away in a middle class neighborhood Bhopal, India. Balthazar would presumably have been resigned to living out his days in comfortable obscurity, had he not been "discovered" by Prince Michael of Greece. In his historical novel "Le Rajah de Bourbon", Michael has claimed that Balthazar is the long-lost descendent of Bourbon kings. At the invitation of Prince Michael, Balthazar will soon travel to Europe to take a DNA test to prove his lineage to the last kings of France. Prince Michael, himself a Bourbon descendant, visited Balthazar in Bhopal last month and told him that the titles of the French royalty rightfully belonged to this lawyer; and had been usurped by second branch Bourbons.

So how did the supposed pretender to the French throne end up in India? Prince Michael believes Jean de Bourbon, a nephew of the first Bourbon French king, Henry IV, arrived in India in 1560, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar, after action-packed adventures across the world. Around 1700, Jean’s descendants migrated to Bhopal via Gwalior. They were advisors to the Nawabs of Bhopal. Balthazar is an offspring of this branch of the Bourbon family.

Balthazar was not totally unaware of his heritage before Prince Michael arrived on the scene. He always knew his family was special, since books on Bhopal's history contained references to the famous Bourbon title; and some heritage buildings here do boast a French connection. "In the house of Bourbons, the titles are according to gradation. I come from the upper part of the family tree, the elder branch of the Bourbon dynasty," he says. However, authors, researchers and reporters who frequently dropped into his house — to write about or seek proof of his lineage — often irritated him because they did little to change his middle class status. Now who knows?. He says, "I am the only Bourbon now living in Asia. If I am recognized, I should get my titles."

Balthazar wryly reflects that it took the intervention of a European prince for Europeans to take his claim seriously. "It was my father who wrote to the royals in Europe. In those days, there was no internet, so making contact was not as easy," he said. Presumably, the royals did not deign to respond. Now, of course, he is big news. I have a feeling that Americans, in particular, will have a field day with him. They have always been suckers for royalty – real or assumed. Don’t be too surprised if Balthazar turns up on the Tonight show in the near future.

But Balthazar is not getting fitted for ermine robes just yet. In fact, he is doubtful, the present family, who hold the titles, will recognize him. "I firmly believe I am from the elder line, I have always been taught so since I was a child. But at the moment, I am in a disadvantageous position, since I am in India," he said. For now, he is quite content with his peaceful way of life, along with his wife, Elisha, and his three children.

Wouldn’t it be something, though, if this slightly pot-bellied man with a luxuriant moustache and a "funny" Indian accent were to be presented at court? I would love to see the expressions on the faces of the supercilious nobles and their haughty ladies.