Monsieur
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Monsieur meant "My Lord" in Middle French, and is now generally used as an honorific for all men, the equivalent to the English titles "Mister" and "Sir" and also to "gentleman". Written Monsieur Dupont or M. Dupont, the plural is messieurs (abbreviation: MM.). This plural is also used as the plural for Mister in English, (written Messrs. Jones, Smith and Davis.) This title may commonly be also prefixed to a first name (ex. Monsieur Jean), unlike English "mister."
Under the French monarchy, Monsieur was an informal title given to the eldest living brother of the reigning King. Those who have been known by this title include:
- Charles, duc d'Orléans (1559-1560)
- Henri, duc d'Anjou (1560-1574)
- François, duc d'Anjou (1574-1584)
- Gaston, duc d'Orléans (1610-1643)
- Philippe I, duc d'Orléans (1643-1701)
- Louis Stanislas, comte de Provence (1774-1793)
- Charles, comte d'Artois (1795-1824)