Bernard-François, marquis de Chauvelin

His role in London was to persuade the British Government to remain neutral in the impending war between France and Austria and Prussia.

However, on 10 August 1792, in light of the storming of the Tuileries and the formal suspension of King Louis XVI of France from power, Chauvelin's status became ambiguous - as his credentials had been issued by a non-ruling king and, moreover, Britain had recalled its own ambassador (and not replaced him), thereby ending official communication.

Despite Chauvelin's claims to continue as interim representative of France until the arrival of his new credentials (he believed them imminent), foreign secretary William Grenville refused to recognize him as officially speaking for the French republic and returned his papers and missives.

[3] Chauvelin finally received his new credentials from the French republic in January 1793 and requested an audience with the British king to present them.

From 1812 to 1814, he governed Catalonia – styled Intendant-Général – having been expected to win over the Catalans to Joseph Bonaparte, Emperor Napoleon's brother, who had been installed as King of Spain.