Princess Louise Maximiliane Caroline Emanuel of Stolberg-Gedern (20 September 1752 – 29 January 1824) was the wife of Charles Edward Stuart, the Jacobite claimant to the English and Scottish thrones.

During her years in Paris and Florence, she established famous salons where important artists and intellectuals of the day were invited to gather.

[3] The mission of this convent was to provide a home for young ladies of the nobility who had insufficient financial means to live unmarried in the world.

[4] In 1771, Louise's younger sister (also a canoness at St. Waudru) married Don Carlos, Earl of Tinmouth, only son of the 3rd Duke of Berwick (great-grandson of King James II of England and VII of Scotland).

[5][3] Part of this desire for Charles to marry stemmed from King Louis XV of France who recognised the succession of the House of Hanover, he also hoped that the legitimate Stuart line would not die out and would be an ongoing threat to the Hanoverians.

[5] The couple met for the first time on 14 April 1772, when they renewed their marriage vows in person in the town of Macerata, Italy.

[5] Shortly afterwards, the couple travelled to Rome as a party in four State coaches, arriving at the Palazzo Muti on 22 April 1772.

On 25 April, Charles presented Louise with wedding gifts for his new bride, said to compose of 40,000 crowns and a gold box, set with diamonds.

[9] Charles had been encouraged in the belief that, if he married, the pope would recognise him as King of England and Scotland, and France might provide funds for another Jacobite rising.

[10][8] Here they used the title of "Count and Countess of Albany" to avoid difficulties the Italian nobility had with addressing them as "King and Queen of Great Britain".

[10] They stayed as guests of Prince Corsini until Charles bought the Palazzo di San Clemente in 1777.

[14][15] The key event is said to be when Charles had been drinking following Saint Andrew's Day celebrations, and after accusing Louise of infidelities, may have attempted to rape her, resulting in her screaming to the extent that the household servants intervened.

[18] She lived briefly at the Ursuline Convent before moving to her brother-in-law's official residence, the Palazzo della Cancelleria.

[19] In November 1780, Louise formally left Charles, moving first to a convent and then eventually her brother-in-laws estate.

[16][19] In April 1784, Charles was induced by King Gustav III of Sweden to grant Louise a decree of separation.

In 1786, the Cardinal-Duke of York learnt of the continued, ongoing relationship between Louise and Alfieri which he thought had ended.

[24] There, Louise established a famous salon in her home, to which the most important writers, artists, and intellectuals were invited.

Louise continued to live in Florence until 1809, when she was summoned to Paris by Napoleon during France's war with Britain.

He asked if she had ever given birth to Charles Edward's child, hoping to find a legal heir who could then be used to cause insurrection in Britain.