Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prince Ferdinand |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Portrayed wearing the uniform of a brigadier general of the Spanish Army, c. 1920
|
|||||
| Born | 10 May 1884 Madrid, Kingdom of Spain |
||||
| Died | 5 April 1958 (aged 73) Madrid, Spanish State |
||||
| Spouse |
Infanta Maria Teresa of Spain
(m. 1906; died 1912)María Luisa de Silva y Fernández de Henestrosa, 1st Duchess of Talavera de la Reina
(m. 1914; died 1955) |
||||
| Issue | Infante Luis Alfonso Infante José Eugenio María de las Mercedes, Princess Irakli Bagration of Mukhrani Infanta María del Pilar |
||||
|
|||||
| House | Wittelsbach | ||||
| Father | Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria | ||||
| Mother | Infanta María de la Paz of Spain | ||||
Prince Ferdinand Maria of Bavaria was a royal prince from the House of Wittelsbach. He was born on May 10, 1884, and passed away on April 5, 1958. He was also known as an Infante of Spain, which is a special title for a Spanish prince.
Ferdinand was the oldest child of Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria and Infanta María de la Paz of Spain. In 1905, he became an Infante of Spain. He later gave up his rights to the throne of Bavaria in 1914.
Contents
Early Life
Prince Ferdinand María was born in Madrid, Spain, on May 10, 1884. His father was Prince Ludwig Ferdinand of Bavaria. His mother was Infanta María de la Paz of Bourbon. She was the daughter of Queen Isabella II of Spain.
This meant that Prince Ferdinand María was a first cousin to King Alfonso XIII of Spain. King Alfonso XIII was two years younger than Ferdinand. When Ferdinand was born, he was baptized at the Royal Palace of Madrid.
In 1886, when he was just two years old, he received an important award. His aunt, the Queen Regent, gave him the Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III. This was a very high honor.
Soon after Ferdinand was born, his parents moved to Bavaria. His two younger siblings, Adalbert and Pilar, were born there. Ferdinand's father, Prince Ludwig Ferdinand, was known for being friendly with his cousin, King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
Ferdinand went to a military school called the Bavarian War Academy. He became a Second Lieutenant in the Bavarian Army. After his training, he moved back to Spain.
Marriage and Becoming a Spanish Prince
On October 20, 1905, King Alfonso XIII made an important announcement. He said that his older sister, Infanta María Teresa, would marry Prince Ferdinand Maria.
On the same day, Prince Ferdinand Maria became a Spanish citizen. King Alfonso XIII also gave him the special title of Infante of Spain. This meant he was officially a prince of Spain. He also received several other important awards and honors.
The wedding took place on January 12, 1906, at the Royal Palace in Madrid. Ferdinand and María Teresa had four children:
- Infante Luis Alfonso (born 1906 – died 1983)
- Infante Jose Eugenio (born 1909 – died 1966). He married Dona María de la Asunción Solange de Mesía y de Lesseps.
- Infanta María de las Mercedes (born 1911 – died 1953). She married Prince Irakli Bagration of Mukhrani.
- Infanta María del Pilar (born 1912 – died 1918)
The family lived in Spain. Their main home was the Cuesta de la Vega Palace in Madrid.
Military Career
.png)
In 1905, Prince Ferdinand María joined the Spanish Army. He started as a cavalry lieutenant. He later became a Commander in the 12th Lusitania Rifle Regiment.
He was sent to Africa with his regiment. There, he took part in the Rif War. This was a conflict in northern Morocco. His service showed his commitment to Spain.
Ferdinand married a second time to Maria Luisa de Silva y Fernández de Henestrosa. She was the Duchess of Talavera de la Reina. Their wedding was on October 1, 1914, in Fuenterrabía, Spain. María Luisa was also given the title of Infanta of Spain.
Later Life
Prince Ferdinand lived longer than his mother and father. He was a cousin and brother-in-law to King Alfonso XIII of Spain. Many other important Spanish royals were also part of his family.
Honors and Awards
Prince Ferdinand received many honors and awards throughout his life. These came from both Spain and other countries.
- From Spain
- Knight of the Order of Charles III
- Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
- Knight of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
- Knight of the Royal Cavalry Armory of Seville
- Knight of the Royal Nobility Corps of Madrid
- Grand Commander of León of the Order of Santiago
- Grand Cross of the Naval Merit Order
- Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion of the Spanish Order of St. John
- From Other Countries
- Knight of the Order of the Elephant (Denmark)
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (France)
- Grand Cross of the Royal Hungarian Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary (Austria-Hungary)
- Knight of the Order of the Black Eagle (Prussia)
- Knight of the Order of the Seraphim (Sweden)
- Honorary Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (United Kingdom)
Arms
- Heraldry of Prince Ferdinand of Bavaria
-
Coat of Arms of Ferdinand of Bavaria as Infante of Spain
_as_Spanish_Infante.svg)
