Philippe Jules Mancini, 8th Duke of Nevers (1641–1707) was the nephew of Cardinal Mazarin, chief minister of France immediately after the death of King Louis XIII.

After his father's death in 1650, his mother, Geronima, brought her family from Rome to Paris in the hope of using the influence of her brother, Cardinal Mazarin, to gain them advantageous marriages.

In order to discourage the type of tempestuous relationship that had developed between Louis XIII and his younger brother Gaston, the young king's mother, Anne of Austria, and chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin, decided to protect the future king by making sure that his younger brother, the duc d'Anjou, had no part in any political or military office.

During his youth, Anjou's behavior was closely watched by dowager queen and her advisor, who made sure that the young duke had no meaningful financial freedom from the Crown.

The queen and Mazarin discouraged the duc d'Anjou from traditional manly pursuits such as arms and politics, and encouraged him to wear dresses, makeup, and to enjoy feminine behaviour.

[1][2] In 1657, Cardinal Mazarin re-established the Mousquetaires du Roi, a military unit later immortalized by Alexandre Dumas, père in his story of The Three Musketeers.