Carlos Hugo, Duke of Parma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carlos Hugo |
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| Duke of Parma | |
Carlos Hugo in 1968
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| Head of the House of Bourbon-Parma | |
| Tenure | 7 May 1977 – 18 August 2010 |
| Predecessor | Duke Xavier |
| Successor | Duke Carlos |
| Born | 8 April 1930 Paris, France |
| Died | 18 August 2010 (aged 80) Barcelona, Spain |
| Burial | 28 August 2010 Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Prince Carlos, Duke of Parma Princess Margarita, Countess of Colorno Prince Jaime, Count of Bardi Princess Carolina, Marchioness of Sala |
| House | Bourbon-Parma |
| Father | Prince Xavier of Parma |
| Mother | Madeleine de Bourbon-Busset |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Carlos Hugo, Duke of Parma and Piacenza (born April 8, 1930 – died August 18, 2010) was an important figure in the House of Bourbon-Parma. This family is a branch of the famous House of Bourbon, which has ruled in many European countries. From 1977 until his death, Carlos Hugo was the head of this royal house.
He was also a Carlist pretender to the throne of Spain. A "pretender" is someone who claims the right to be king or queen, even if they are not currently ruling. Carlos Hugo tried to guide the Carlist movement, a political group in Spain, as its leader.
His marriage to Princess Irene of the Netherlands in 1964 caused a big stir in the Netherlands. It even led to a "constitutional crisis," which means a serious problem with the country's rules and laws.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Carlos Hugo was born on April 8, 1930, in Paris, France. His parents were Xavier, Duke of Parma, and Madeleine de Bourbon-Busset. His full baptism name was Hugues Marie Sixte Robert Louis Jean Georges Benoît Michel.
He was a direct male descendant of Louis XIV, a famous king of France. In 1963, his name was officially changed to Charles Hugues by a French court.
Carlos Hugo finished his high school studies in Montreal, Canada. He then went on to study in Paris and at the famous University of Oxford in England. In 1977, when his father passed away, Carlos Hugo took over as head of the family. He claimed the titles of Duke of Parma and also claimed the thrones of Etruria and Spain. He was a French citizen and later became a Spanish citizen in 1980.
Understanding Carlism
Carlism is a Spanish political movement that started in the 1800s. It supports the idea that Carlos Hugo's family branch of the House of Bourbon should rule Spain.
Carlos Hugo became the leader of the Carlist movement in August 1975. During the time of Francoist Spain, the Carlist group was known as the Traditionalist Communion. After the death of Spain's leader, Francisco Franco, the Carlist movement became divided. It struggled to get much public attention again.
In May 1976, a year after Franco died, a sad event happened. Two Carlist supporters were shot during an annual Carlist gathering. This incident, known as the Montejurra massacre, involved far-right groups.
In 2003, Carlos Hugo once again stated his claim to the Spanish throne as a Carlist leader.
Marriage and Family Life
Carlos Hugo's engagement to Princess Irene of the Netherlands caused a major issue in the Netherlands. Princess Irene was the daughter of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.
Irene lost her right to become queen of the Netherlands because the Dutch government did not approve her marriage. The government was worried about Carlos Hugo's claim to the Spanish throne. They feared that if a Dutch royal married someone claiming a foreign throne, it could cause international problems.
Carlos Hugo and Irene were married on April 29, 1964, in Rome, Italy. No other members of the Dutch Royal Family were there. Irene's parents watched the ceremony on television. After their wedding, they met with Pope Paul VI. They then moved to Madrid, Spain.
Carlos Hugo and Irene later divorced on May 26, 1981. They had four children together:
- Prince Carlos Javier Bernardo Sixto María, Duke of Parma (born January 27, 1970). He has a son named Carlos Hugo (born 1997). In 2010, Prince Carlos married Annemarie Cecilia Gualthérie van Weezel. They have three children:
- Princess Luisa of Bourbon-Parme (born 2012)
- Princess Cecilia of Bourbon-Parme (born 2013)
- Carlos Enrique Leonard, Hereditary Prince of Bourbon-Parma (born 2016)
- Princess Margarita María Beatriz of Bourbon Parma (born October 13, 1972). She married Edwin de Roy van Zuydewijn in 2001 and they divorced in 2006. She remarried Tjalling Siebe ten Cate in 2008. They have two daughters:
- Julia ten Cate (born 2008)
- Paola ten Cate (born 2011)
- Prince Jaime Bernardo of Bourbon Parma (born October 13, 1972). He married Viktoria Cservenyak in 2013. They have two daughters:
- Princess Zita Clara of Bourbon-Parma (born 2014)
- Princess Gloria Irene of Bourbon-Parma (born 2016)
- Princess María Carolina Cristina of Bourbon Parma (born June 23, 1974). She married Albert Alphons Ludgerus Brenninkmeijer in 2012. They have two children:
- Alaïa-Maria Brenninkmeijer (born 2014)
- Xavier Brenninkmeijer (born 2015)
Later Life and Passing
In February 2008, it was announced that Carlos Hugo was receiving treatment for cancer. On August 2, 2010, he shared on his website that his health was getting worse. He passed away on August 18, 2010, in Barcelona, Spain, at the age of 80.
Carlos Hugo's body was moved from Barcelona to The Hague in the Netherlands. Family members and close relatives could pay their respects there. On August 28, his body was taken to Parma in Italy. He was buried in the crypt of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata.
Royal Honours and Awards
Carlos Hugo received several special honours and awards throughout his life. These are often given to members of royal families or for important achievements.
He claimed to be the Grand Master of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. This is an old order that his family had led for a long time. He also claimed to be the Grand Master of the Spanish Order of the Golden Fleece, a very important knightly order. At his funeral, the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece was placed on his coffin.
He also received honours from other countries:
- From the Holy See (the Vatican): Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
- From the Netherlands: Grand Cross of the Order of the House of Orange
See also
In Spanish: Carlos Hugo de Borbón-Parma para niños
