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Ferdinand, Prince of Asturias facts for kids

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Ferdinand
Prince of Asturias
Infante Ferdinand by Alonso Sánchez Coello.jpg
Portrait by Sánchez Coello, c. 1575
Born 4 December 1571
Madrid, Spain
Died 18 October 1578(1578-10-18) (aged 6)
Madrid, Spain
Burial El Escorial
House Habsburg
Father Philip II of Spain
Mother Anna of Austria

Ferdinand, Prince of Asturias (born December 4, 1571 – died October 18, 1578) was a young prince from the House of Habsburg. He was the heir apparent, meaning he was next in line to become the king of Spain.

Life of Prince Ferdinand

Philip II offering Fernando to Victory
Painting by Titian showing King Philip II with his son Ferdinand.

Ferdinand was born in the Royal Alcázar of Madrid, a royal palace in Spain. He was the second son of Philip II of Spain, who was the King of Spain. His mother was Anna of Austria. She was King Philip II's niece and his fourth wife.

Becoming Heir to the Throne

Ferdinand had an older half-brother named Don Carlos. Don Carlos had died in 1568. This meant that when Ferdinand was born in 1571, he immediately became the new heir to the Spanish throne. Because he was the heir, he was given the title of Prince of Asturias.

Most of Ferdinand's time was spent with his mother, his nurses, and his two older half-sisters. Their names were Catherine and Isabella.

A Special Birth

The birth of Ferdinand was a very important event for his father, King Philip II. People had been waiting a long time for a new son to be born who could become king. To celebrate Ferdinand's birth and thank God, King Philip II released prisoners. This special moment was captured in a famous painting by Titian called Philip II Offering Don Fernando to Victory.

Official Title

On May 31, 1573, Ferdinand was officially given the title of Prince of Asturias. This ceremony took place at a church called San Jerónimo el Real.

Early Death

Sadly, Prince Ferdinand died at a young age. He passed away from a serious illness called dysentery. He was only six years old when he died. After Ferdinand's death, his younger brother, Philip III of Spain, eventually became the next king of Spain.

Spanish royalty
Preceded by
Charles
Prince of Asturias
1571–1578
Succeeded by
Diego


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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Fernando de Austria (príncipe de Asturias) para niños

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