Rhisiart was the first King of Wales from a family not of male descent from Owain Glyndwr. He was instead descended through his mother from Owain's line. He was also the first Welsh monarch not born in Wales. Born in exile on the 16th March 1732 to the Prince of Morgannwg (Cystenin) and his wife Gwenllian ferch Hywel IV ap Hywel III. His father would die soon afterward (25th October 1733) leaving the upbringing of his son and heir to first, Princess Gwenllian, and then various members of the French and Welsh courts. As a result, Rhisiart was fluent in both French and Welsh and moved easily from the Welsh court in Chateau de Marly and the French court in nearby Versailles.