Francisco de Asís, Duke of Cádiz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Francisco de Asís
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 Royal Palace of Aranjuez, Aranjuez, Kingdom of Spain
Died	17 April 1902(1902-04-17) (aged 79) Épinay-sur-Seine, Paris, French Third Republic
Burial	El Escorial
Spouse	Isabella II of Spain ​ (m. 1846)​
Issue	Infanta Isabel, Countess of Girgenti Alfonso XII Infanta Pilar Infanta Paz, Princess Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria Infanta Eulalia, Duchess of Galliera
Full name Francisco de Asís María Fernando de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias
House	Bourbon-Anjou
Father	Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain
Mother	Princess Luisa Carlotta of the Two Sicilies
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Francisco de Asís, Duke of Cádiz (Francisco de Asís María Fernando de Borbón; 13 May 1822 – 17 April 1902), sometimes anglicised Francis of Assisi, was King of Spain as the consort of Queen Isabella II from their marriage on 10 October 1846 until Isabella was overthrown on 30 September 1868. Francisco and his wife were double first cousins, as their fathers were brothers and their mothers were sisters. The royal couple had twelve children, including King Alfonso XII. Isabella was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1868, but the monarchy was restored under their son Alfonso XII in 1874. Following his son's accession, Francisco became king father.

Family

Francisco de Asís 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 the Two Sicilies. He was named after Saint Francis of Assisi.

Marriage and children

Francisco married Queen Isabella II of Spain, 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:

• Infanta María Isabel (1851–1931): married her mother's and father's first cousin Prince Gaetan, Count of Girgenti.
• Alfonso XII of Spain (1857–1885).
• Infanta María del Pilar (1861–1879).
• Infanta María de la Paz (1862–1946): married her paternal first cousin Prince Louis Ferdinand of Bavaria.
• Infanta María Eulalia (1864–1958): married her maternal first cousin Don Antonio de Orléans y Borbón, Infante of Spain, Duke of Galliera.

Later life

Portrait of King Francisco by Vicente López Portaña

Starting in 1864, Francisco de Asís acted as president of the Spanish Privy Council (Consejo del Reino).

In 1868 Francisco went into exile with his wife in France and adopted the incognito title of Count of Moratalla. On 25 June 1870, Isabella abdicated in favour of their son Alfonso XII—whom the 1874 restoration placed on the throne. By then, Francisco de Asís and Isabella had amicably separated and, with time, became good friends.

In 1881 Francisco de Asís 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, Isabel and Eulalia, were present at his deathbed.

Honours

Coat of arms of King Francisco de Asís

See also

In Spanish: Francisco de Asís de Borbón para niños