 Born to Charles de Lorraine, Count of Marsan and his wife Catherine Thérèse de Goyon de Matignon, he was the couples eldest child.Styled the Prince of Pons from birth, he was also the Count of Marsan at his father's death in November 1708.As a member of the House of Lorraine, he was a Foreign Prince and as such, was addressed with the style of Highness.