Career
She was an ancestor of Louis XVI of France and Philippe Égalité, as well as several European monarchs of the 21st century. Born in Paris to the landless Prince Palatine Edward, Bénédicte Henriette"s paternal grandparents were Frederick V, Elector Palatine and Elizabeth Stuart, the Winter Queen. She was the youngest of three daughters.
Bénédicte was reared by Louise de Louisiana Fayette, a courtier-turned-nun known as Sister Louise-Angélique.
The union, which had been arranged by the French diplomatist Gourville produced four daughters. She corresponded with Gottfried Leibniz.
Benedicta died the age of 78, at Asnieres, her late sister"s residence near Paris, on 12 August 1730. Anna Sophie of Brunswick-Lüneburg (10 February 1670 – 24 March 1672), died in infancy;
Charlotte Felizitas of Brunswick-Lüneburg (8 March 1671 – 29 September 1710), married Rinaldo d"Este, Duke of Modena and had issue;
Henriette Maria of Brunswick-Lüneburg (9 March 1672 – 4 September 1757), never married;
Wilhelmine Amalia of Brunswick-Lüneburg (21 April 1673 – 10 April 1742), married Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor and had issue.
Titles and styles
14 March 1652 – 30 November 1668 Her Serene Highness Countess Palatine Benedicta of Simmern
30 November 1668 – 18 December 1679 Her Serene Highness The Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg
18 December 1679 – 12 August 1730 Her Serene Highness The Dowager Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg.