Francis, Duke of Cádiz

Francis of Spain
Duke of Cádiz
Photograph by Herbert, c 1860
King consort of Spain
Tenure	10 October 1846 – 30 September 1868
Born	(1822-05-13)13 May 1822 Aranjuez, Spain
Died	Épinay-sur-Seine, France
Burial	El Escorial
Spouse	Isabella II of Spain
Issue	Isabella, Princess of Asturias Alfonso XII of Spain Infanta Maria de la Paz Infanta Eulalia, Duchess of Galliera
Full name Francisco de Asís María Fernando de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias
House	Bourbon
Father	Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain
Mother	Princess Luisa Carlotta of Naples and Sicily
Religion	Roman Catholicism

File:Greater Coat of Arms of Francis, King Consort of Spain.svg

Coat of arms of King Francis of Spain

Francisco de Asís María Fernando de Borbón, sometimes anglicised Francis of Assisi (13 May 1822 – 17 April 1902), was the king consort of Queen Isabella II of Spain. He is commonly styled Duke of Cádiz, the title he held before his marriage.

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.

Francis' paternal grandparents were Charles IV of Spain and Maria Luisa of Parma. Their daughter, María Isabella of Spain, and Francis I of the Two Sicilies were his maternal grandparents.

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).
• Maria de 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 Montpensier.

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.

Styles and titles

• 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

• Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
• Knight of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III
• Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic

Foreign

• Knight of the Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
• Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim

Ancestry

Family of Francis, Duke of Cádiz

16. Philip V of Spain (=20)               8. Charles III of Spain (=24, 28)                       17. Elisabeth Farnese (=21)               4. Charles IV of Spain (=14)                             18. Augustus III of Poland               9. Princess Maria Amalia of Saxony (=25, 29)                       19. Archduchess Maria Josepha of Austria               2. Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain                                   20. Philip V of Spain (=16)               10. Philip, Duke of Parma (=30)                       21. Elisabeth Farnese (=17)               5. Princess Maria Luisa of Parma (=15)                             22. Louis XV of France               11. Princess Louise-Élisabeth of France (=31)                       23. Maria Leszczyńska               1. Francis of Spain                                         24. Charles III of Spain (=8, 28)               12. Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies                       25. Princess Maria Amalia of Saxony (=9, 29)               6. Francis I of the Two Sicilies                             26. Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor Francis III Stephen, Duke of Lorraine               13. Archduchess Maria Carolina of Austria                       27. Maria Theresa of Austria Queen of Hungary & Bohemia               3. Princess Luisa Carlotta of Naples and Sicily                                   28. Charles III of Spain (=8, 24)               14. Charles IV of Spain (=4)                       29. Princess Maria Amalia of Saxony (=9, 25)               7. Infanta María Isabella of Spain                             30. Philip, Duke of Parma (=10)               15. Princess Maria Luisa of Parma (=5)                       31. Princess Louise-Élisabeth of France (=11)

Bibliography

Bergamini, John D. The Spanish Bourbons: The History of a Tenacious Dynasty. New York: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-399-11365-7

See also

Francis, Duke of Cádiz House of Bourbon Cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty Born: 13 May 1822 Died: 17 April 1902
Spanish royalty
Vacant Title last held by Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies as queen consort	King consort of Spain 10 October 1846 – 30 September 1868	Vacant Bourbon dynasty deposed Title next held by Maria Vittoria dal Pozzo as queen consort
Titles in pretence
Loss of title Spanish Glorious Revolution	— TITULAR — King consort of Spain 30 September 1868 – 25 June 1870	Vacant Title next held by Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg as queen consort