Burial El Escorial House House of Bourbon Role King consort of Spain | Name Francis, of Religion Roman Catholicism | |
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Tenure 10 October 1846 – 30 September 1868 Born 13 May 1822
Aranjuez, Spain ( 1822-05-13 ) Issue Isabella, Princess of Asturias
Alfonso XII of Spain
Infanta Maria de la Paz
Infanta Eulalia, Duchess of Galliera Father Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain Mother Princess Luisa Carlotta of Naples and Sicily Died April 17, 1902, Epinay-sur-Seine, France Spouse Isabel II of Spain (m. 1846–1902) Children Alfonso XII of Spain, Isabella, Princess of Asturias, Infanta Eulalia of Spain, Infanta Maria de la Paz of Spain Parents Princess Luisa Carlotta of Naples and Sicily, Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain Similar People Isabel II of Spain, Alfonso XII of Spain, Isabella - Princess of Asturias, Infante Francisco de Paula, Maria Christina of the Two S | ||
Francisco de Asis Maria Fernando de Borbon, sometimes anglicised Francis of Assisi (13 May 1822 – 17 April 1902), was the king consort of Queen Isabella II of Spain. He is commonly styled Duke of Cadiz, the title he held before his marriage.
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Family
Francis 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 Naples and Sicily. He was named after Saint Francis of Assisi.
Francis' paternal grandparents were Charles IV of Spain and Maria Luisa of Parma. Their daughter, Maria Isabella of Spain, and Francis I of the Two Sicilies were his maternal grandparents.
Marriage and children
Francis married Isabella, 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:
There has been considerable speculation that some or all of Isabella's children were not fathered by Francis; this has been bolstered by rumours that Francis was either homosexual or physically unable to complete the sex act.
Later life
Starting in 1864, Francis acted as president of the Spanish Privy Council (Consejo del Reino). In 1868 he went into exile with his wife in France and adopted the incognito title of Count of Moratalla. In 1870 Francis and Isabella were amicably separated and, with time, became good friends, which they had certainly not been while she was Queen regnant. The 1874 restoration placed his son Alfonso XII on the throne.
In 1881 Francis took up residence at the chateau of Epinay-sur-Seine (currently the city hall). He died there in 1902. His wife Isabella and two of his daughters, Isabella and Eulalia, were present at his deathbed.
Styles and titles
Honours
Foreign