The King of Patagonia

A quick portrait of Orélie-Antoine I

The self-announced monarch arrived to these lands in 1858 with his mind set from years before to claim what he believed was rightfully his - the southern territories of Chile; Araucania and Patagonia. He was 33 year-old French lawyer Orélie-Antoine de Tounens, who believed the area wasn´t automatically the property of Chile or Argentina, young independent states at the time. In 1860 he signed a declaration of independence, created a hymn and a flag, alerted the press and awaited an official response from the Chilean government. But all he got were ironic comments and slammed doors. And a ticket home offered by the French consul.

Nevertheless, after studying the language and raising funds for his quest, he travelled south to acquaint himself with "his" lands. On the way he had to cross a heavily guarded frontier, the one where the advance of the Chilean troops faced resistance of indigenous people, the Mapuches. How he managed this remains unknown.
To win the support of the Mapuche tribes, he presented himself through an interpreter to some chiefs. Incredible as it may seem he was accepted by this community at war, and in front of a small gathering he made the following statement:

"Make of me the King of Araucania and I will unite the strength of the Araucanian nation, Shout with me: Long live the King!" (freely translated)

How did the son of a peasant come to believe he was the king of a foreign land and people?
One must perhaps think of the romantic and idealist time he lived in, when the world dreamed of discoveries in remote places, and that our Orélie most probably was nuts.

In any case, it wasn´t long before the "monarch" was found by a patrol of the Chilean Army. They spotted him resting under a tree on a beach and watched him for several moments to ensure he wasn´t aware he´d been sighted. Then he was approached, lifted to his feet and demanded to accompany them.
Orélie Antoine de Tounens, 36 years of age, carrying a suitcase, a mattress and a french-spanish dictionary, was being arrested for usurping Chilean territory by claiming himself King of Araucania and Patagonia. Much later, when he would be asked why he didn´t at least think of founding a republic, he would say "that form of government was turned down by the araucanians, who have a fond memory of the Spanish royalty".

He was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in an insane asylum, but thanks to the efforts of the French government he was eventually deported. Before boarding the ship back he had to swear to never come back. But just as he arrived in France he began to prepare for his return, by writing manifests and letters, forging coins, appointing officials, founding two periodicals with short lifespans and applying to meet with Napoleon III.
His efforts to win sympathies and financial support were successful and six years after his expulsion from Chile he was returning to Araucania.
This time entering through Argentina, he faced a situation quite unlike the one he had left. The Army´s "pacification" of the lands had been devastating to the indigenous tribes. The Mapuches were surprised as well, since the Chileans had informed them their king was executed. De Tounens began to mobilize his subjects and attracted the attention of the Chilean authorities once more. This time a price was put on his head, but Orélie was protected by the Mapuches.
After a few years and due to a financial drought, he was forced to return to France. He announced to be seeking a bride so he could ensure his legacy would be carried on. But he never had any children nor managed to return to his realm, despite several attempts on the latter.
He died alone in 1878 and was buried in anonymity, not far from his native village.
More than 50 years later, the township gave him a tomb stone which reads: "Here rests Tounens Orélie-Antoine I, King of Araucania and Patagonia."

But this was not the end, as Orélie I has had many successors. When he died, a relative assumed the post as Achille I, later came Antoine II and Antoine III, who in turn handed the title over to the current holder, Prince Philippe I who resides in Paris, now at the age of 79.

Long live the King, as imaginary as his kingdom might be!

Freely translated from an article by Cristóbal Peña and other sources on the Web.