Princess Violante Beatrice of Bavaria

Princess Violante Beatrice of Bavaria (Violante Beatrix; 23 January 1673 – 30 May 1731) was Grand Princess of Tuscany as the wife of Grand Prince Ferdinando of Tuscany and Governor of Siena from 1717 until her death. Born a Duchess of Bavaria, the youngest child of Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria. She married the heir to the throne of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Ferdinando de' Medici, in 1689. Violante Beatrice loved him but Grand Prince Ferdinando did not return her affection, declaring her too ugly and too dull. They had no children. She was a sister of Maria Anna Victoria of Bavaria, Dauphine of France (daughter-in-law of Louis XIV of France) Living in Siena she reformed the city's administrative system. Her brother-in-law Gian Gastone de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany created her the Governor of Siena in 1717.

Titles and styles

 * 23 January 1673 - 9 January 1689 Her Serene Highness Princess Violante Beatrix of Bavaria, Duchess of Bavaria.
 * 9 January 1689 - 5 February 1691 Her Highness The Grand Princess o Tuscany.
 * 5 February 1691 - 31 October 1713 Her Royal Highness The Grand Princess of Tuscany.
 * 31 October 1713 - 12 April 1717 Her Royal Highness The Dowager Grand Princess of Tuscany.
 * 12 April 1717 - 30 May 1731 Her Royal Highness The Governor of Siena.