Laurence de Montmorency

She served as Première dame d'honneur to the queen of France, Anne of Austria, from 1615 until 1624.

Now a widow Laurence became a companion to her niece, Louise de Budos.

Additionally, both Laurence and Henri shared ancestors, they were descended from Jean II de Montmorency.

Thus, he wanted to separate from his wife and pressured her to join her niece and his former sister-in law Laurence de Budos in the Abbey of Saint-Trinité.

[1] In 1618, Anne's Spanish courtiers were sent home, and Laurence de Montmorency became her only Première dame d'honneur.

She wished to resign, but stayed to nurse the queen, who fell sick at this time; when Marie de Rohan was banished in 1622, she again became the highest ranked lady-in-waiting at court, a position she is said to have performed with diplomatic charm.