Francis, Duke of Cádiz
Francis, Duke of Cádiz
Francisco de Asís | |||||
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Duke of Cádiz | |||||
King consort of Spain | |||||
Tenure | 10 October 1846 – 30 September 1868 | ||||
Born | (1822-05-13)13 May 1822 Royal Palace of Aranjuez, Aranjuez, Kingdom of Spain | ||||
Died | 17 April 1902(1902-04-17)(aged 79) Épinay-sur-Seine, Paris, French Third Republic | ||||
Burial | El Escorial | ||||
Spouse | Isabella II of Spain | ||||
Issue |
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House | Bourbon | ||||
Father | Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain | ||||
Mother | Princess Luisa Carlotta of Naples and Sicily | ||||
Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||
Full name | |||||
Francisco de Asís María Fernando de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias |
Francisco de Asís María Fernando de Borbón, sometimes anglicised Francis of Assisi (13 May 1822 – 17 April 1902), was the husband of Queen Isabella II of Spain and king consort from 1846 to 1868. He is commonly styled Duke of Cádiz, the title he held before his marriage.
Francisco de Asís | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Duke of Cádiz | |||||
King consort of Spain | |||||
Tenure | 10 October 1846 – 30 September 1868 | ||||
Born | (1822-05-13)13 May 1822 Royal Palace of Aranjuez, Aranjuez, Kingdom of Spain | ||||
Died | 17 April 1902(1902-04-17)(aged 79) Épinay-sur-Seine, Paris, French Third Republic | ||||
Burial | El Escorial | ||||
Spouse | Isabella II of Spain | ||||
Issue |
| ||||
| |||||
House | Bourbon | ||||
Father | Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain | ||||
Mother | Princess Luisa Carlotta of Naples and Sicily | ||||
Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||
Full name | |||||
Francisco de Asís María Fernando de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias |
Family
Francis was born at Aranjuez, Spain, the second son (first to survive infancy) of Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain, and of his wife (and niece), Princess Luisa Carlotta of Naples and Sicily. He was named after Saint Francis of Assisi.
Marriage and children
Francis married Isabella, his double first cousin, on 10 October 1846. There is evidence that Isabella would rather have married his younger brother, Infante Enrique, Duke of Seville, and complained bitterly about her husband's effeminate habits after their first night together.
Twelve children were born during the marriage, of whom five reached adulthood:
Isabella, Princess of Asturias (1851–1931): married her mother's and father's first cousin Prince Gaetan, Count of Girgenti.
Alfonso XII of Spain (1857–1885).
Infanta María del Pilar (1861–1879).
Infanta María de la Paz (1862–1946): married her paternal first cousin Prince Louis Ferdinand of Bavaria.
Infanta Eulalia (1864–1958): married her maternal first cousin Don Antonio de Orléans y Borbón, Infante of Spain, Duke of Galliera.
There has been considerable speculation that some or all of Isabella's children were not fathered by Francis; this has been bolstered by rumours that Francis was either homosexual or physically unable to complete the sex act.
Later life
Starting in 1864, Francis acted as president of the Spanish Privy Council (Consejo del Reino). In 1868 he went into exile with his wife in France and adopted the incognito title of Count of Moratalla. In 1870 Francis and Isabella were amicably separated and, with time, became good friends, which they had certainly not been while she was Queen regnant. The 1874 restoration placed his son Alfonso XII on the throne.
In 1881 Francis took up residence at the château of Épinay-sur-Seine (currently the city hall). He died there in 1902. His wife Isabella and two of his daughters, Isabella and Eulalia, were present at his deathbed.[1]
Titles, styles and honours
Titles and styles
13 May 1822 – 10 October 1846: His Royal Highness The Duke of Cádiz
10 October 1846 – 25 June 1870: His Majesty The King of Spain
25 June 1870 – 17 April 1902: His Majesty King Francis of Spain
Honours
Spain: Knight of the Golden Fleece, 14 May 1822[2][3][4] Grand Cross, Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III, 14 May 1822[5] Grand Cross, Order of Isabella the Catholic, 27 January 1824[6][7]
Two Sicilies: Knight of St. Januarius[8] Grand Cross, Illustrious Royal Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit[9]
Kingdom of Sardinia: Knight of the Annunciation, 6 August 1849[10] Grand Cross, Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus, 1849
Duchy of Parma: Senator Grand Cross with Collar, Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, 1853[11]
Kingdom of Bavaria: Knight of St. Hubert, 1852[12]
Kingdom of Prussia: Knight with Collar of the Black Eagle[13]
Kingdom of Saxony: Knight of the Rue Crown, 1853[14]
Monaco: Grand Cross, Order of Saint-Charles, 7 September 1865[15]
Sweden-Norway: Knight with Collar of the Seraphim, 3 May 1853[16]
Baden: Knight, House Order of Fidelity, 1866[17]
Württemberg: Grand Cross, Order of the Württemberg Crown, 1866[18]
Grand Duchy of Hesse: Grand Cross, Ludwig Order, 4 September 1860[19]
Kingdom of Hanover: Knight of St. George, 1865[20]