Catherine Opalińska

Countess Catherine Opalińska (Polish: Katarzyna Opalińska; 13 October 1680 – 19 March 1747), was by birth member of House of Opaliński, Queen consort of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth twice and Duchess consort of Lorraine through her marriage with Stanisław I of Poland.

Born into the Polish aristocratic family of Opaliński, Catherine married Stanisłaus Leszczyński in 1698 and six years later he was elected as King of Poland, due to the support of Charles XII of Sweden where she repaid this favour by favouring Swedish people at court.

In 1708 Catherine was sent to Stettin due to the increasingly unstable political environment and a year later her husband was deposed due to the loss of Swedish dominance in the Commonwealth; and she and her family were exiled to Sweden and were welcomed by the dowager queen, Hedwig and they became popular members of high society. In 1714 they moved to the Swedish ruled town of Zweibrücken where they were supported by the state. However, after the death of Charles in 1718 they moved to Wissembourg where the family were subjected to cramped conditions and because of this Catherine began feeling annoyance towards her husband but in 1725 their only surviving child, Maria, married the King of France, which was massive upgrade in status.

In 1733 Stanisłaus was restored to the Polish throne during the War of Polish Succession, thanks to French support, but only three years later he abdicated. The peace treaty made Catherine duchess of Lorraine but her husband had to give up rights to the Polish throne. She never fully adjusted to life in Lorraine and always longed for Poland but suffered from ill health, which hindered her opportunities to attend court. Upon their arrival Stanisłaus immediately began taking up mistresses which most of the time, came from her household. Catherine died on 19 March 1747 and a grand funeral service was staged by son-in-law at Notre Dame.