For a long time, due to not having an heir of his own, Richelieu largely regarded the Crown Prince as a child rather than the future king. At the same time, as an outstanding statesman, his sharp and accurate insight also saw more clearly into Louis' strengths and weaknesses than the king himself.
To be fair, the Prime Minister believed that among the many royal successors, none was more outstanding than the Crown Prince. In terms of ability, cunning, and tact, he was unrivaled among the princes and princesses. His flaws were also obvious: an excess of pride and a tendency to desire great achievements.
