there were plans for him to marry his cousin, louise marie thérèse d'artois. but the plans never materialised. there were also negotiations for the young prince to marry an austrian archduchess as well as a russian grand duchess. but the plans again never materialised as the new monarchy in france was seen as fragile and not expected to survive. instead the choice came in the form of duchess helene of mecklenburg-schwerin. she was a member of a minor ducal family native to germany. the couple eventually married on 30 may 1837. this gave her the style of royal highness and made her one of the first princesses of orléans by marriage. the couple eventually had two sons and had a very happy marriage.