Adelaide of Austria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adelaide of Austria |
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Anonymous portrait of Queen Adelaide circa circa 1853
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| Queen of Sardinia | |||||
| Tenure | 23 March 1849 – 20 January 1855 | ||||
| Born | 3 June 1822 Royal Palace, Milan |
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| Died | 20 January 1855 (aged 32) Royal Palace, Turin |
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| Burial | Royal Basilica, Turin | ||||
| Spouse | Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia | ||||
| Issue among others... |
Maria Clotilde, Princess Napoléon Umberto I, King of Italy Amadeo I, King of Spain Prince Oddone, Duke of Montferrat Maria Pia, Queen of Portugal Carlo Alberto, Duke of Chablais Prince Vittorio Emanuele, Count of Genevois |
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| House | House of Habsburg-Lorraine (by birth) House of Savoy (by marriage) |
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| Father | Rainer Joseph of Austria | ||||
| Mother | Princess Elisabeth of Savoy | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||
| Signature |  |
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Adelaide of Austria (born Adelheid Franziska Marie Rainera Elisabeth Clotilde; 3 June 1822 – 20 January 1855) was an important royal figure in the 1800s. She was the first wife of Victor Emmanuel II, who later became the first King of Italy.
Adelaide was the mother of eight children, including Umberto I, who would also become a King of Italy. She served as the Queen of Sardinia from 1849 until her death in 1855. Today, the person who would be king of Italy, if it were still a monarchy, is her direct great-great-grandson.
Contents
Biography
Early Life as an Archduchess
Adelaide was born on June 3, 1822, in Milan, Italy, at the Royal Palace. Her father was Archduke Rainer Joseph of Austria, and her mother was Elisabeth of Savoy. An Archduke is a special title for a prince in the Austrian royal family.
Her family called her "Adele." Her father was a very important leader. He was the Viceroy (like a governor) of a region called Lombardy-Venetia. Her mother came from the House of Savoy, a powerful royal family in Italy.
Marriage and Duchess of Savoy
On April 12, 1842, Adelaide married Victor Emmanuel of Savoy. Their wedding took place at a beautiful hunting lodge called Palazzina di caccia di Stupinigi. This marriage was planned to make the royal families of Austria (Adelaide's family) and Savoy (Victor Emmanuel's family) closer.
Victor Emmanuel was Adelaide's first cousin. He was also the next in line to become King of Sardinia. Before he became king, he was known as the "Duke of Savoy." So, Adelaide became the "Duchess of Savoy."
Adelaide and Victor Emmanuel were married for thirteen years and had eight children together. Adelaide was known for being a quiet and religious person. She had a strict upbringing but was a loving wife and often gave money to help people in need.
Becoming Queen of Sardinia
In March 1849, a big change happened. Victor Emmanuel's father, King Charles Albert, decided to step down from the throne. This happened after many protests and changes in Europe in 1848.
When his father stepped down, Victor Emmanuel became the new King of Sardinia. This meant Adelaide became the "Queen of Sardinia."
During her time as queen, she had three more children, but sadly, they all died when they were very young. On January 8, 1855, she gave birth to her last son.
Just a few days later, on January 12, 1855, Victor Emmanuel's mother (and Adelaide's mother-in-law) passed away. Adelaide attended the funeral on January 16. After returning to the palace, she caught a cold. She became very sick and passed away four days later, on January 20, 1855, at the Royal Palace of Turin.
She was buried in the Royal Basilica of Superga.
Six years after Adelaide's death, in 1861, her husband Victor Emmanuel became the first King of a united Italy. He later married again.
Titles and honors
- 3 June 1822 – 12 April 1842 Her Imperial and Royal Highness Archduchess Adelaide of Austria
- 12 April 1842 – 23 March 1849 Her Imperial and Royal Highness The Duchess of Savoy
- 23 March 1849 – 20 January 1855 Her Majesty The Queen of Sardinia
- Dame of the Order of the Starry Cross
Images for kids
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Archduchess Adelaide as queen-consort
See also
In Spanish: María Adelaida de Austria para niños
