Diego, Prince of Asturias facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Diego
Prince of Asturias and Portugal
Portrait of Prince Diego aged 2 by Sánchez Coello, c. 1577
Born	15 August 1575 Madrid, Spain
Died	21 November 1582(1582-11-21) (aged 7) Madrid, Spain
Burial	El Escorial
Full name Diego Felix
House	Habsburg
Father	Philip II of Spain
Mother	Anna of Austria
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Diego, Prince of Asturias and Portugal (born Diego Felix; August 15, 1575 – November 21, 1582) was a Spanish prince. He was the fourth son of Philip II of Spain, who was the King of Spain. Diego's mother was Anna of Austria, King Philip's fourth wife.

Early Life of Prince Diego

When Prince Diego was born, his older brother, Prince Ferdinand, was the next in line to the throne. This means Ferdinand was the "heir-apparent." Sadly, Ferdinand passed away in 1578. After his death, Diego became the new heir-apparent to the Spanish throne.

Diego also had another older brother named Carlos Lorenzo. Carlos Lorenzo died when he was a baby. It is said that Diego's mother was so shocked by Carlos Lorenzo's death that it caused her to give birth to Diego earlier than expected.

The birth of Ferdinand, Prince of Asturias, Diego's older brother.

On March 1, 1580, Diego was officially named Prince of Asturias in Madrid. This was a very important ceremony. A poet named Cristóbal de Virués even wrote a poem for the new Prince. The poem suggested that Diego should try to be as great as his father, King Philip II.

In 1580, Diego's father also became the King of Portugal. This meant that Diego was now the heir to both the Spanish and Portuguese thrones. His mother, Anna, died during a trip to their new kingdom of Portugal. Diego and his brothers and sisters stayed in Madrid. His older half-sisters, Isabella Clara Eugenia and Catherine Michelle, took care of them.

King Philip II was very proud of Diego. His letters show how much he loved his son. He wrote that Diego had learned the alphabet and how to dance by the age of five. In 1582, the king even asked the Viceroy of India to bring an elephant as a gift for Prince Diego. King Philip II also taught Diego to speak Portuguese. He wanted his son to be able to talk with his Portuguese people when he became king. The king also planned for Diego to marry one of the daughters of the Duke and Duchess of Braganza from Portugal.

Prince Diego's Death

Sadly, Prince Diego never became king. In late 1582, he caught a serious illness called smallpox. He passed away at the young age of 7. King Philip II was heartbroken by Diego's death.

After Diego's death, the only heir left was his younger brother, Infante Philip. Philip was still very young and often sick. He then became the new Prince of Asturias. King Philip II ordered that special prayers be said constantly. These prayers were for the health of his remaining royal children.

Diego's younger brother, Philip, became King Philip III when their father died in 1598. This continued the royal family line of the Spanish Habsburgs.

See also

In Spanish: Diego de Austria para niños