Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier

Infanta Luisa Fernanda
Duchess of Montpensier
Infanta Luisa Fernanda
Spouse	Prince Antoine d'Orléans, Duke of Montpnesier
Issue
Infanta María Isabel, Countess of Paris María de las Mercedes, Queen of Spain Infante Antonio, Duke of Galliera
House	House of Bourbon
Father	Ferdinand VII of Spain
Mother	Princess Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies
Born	30 January 1832(1832-01-30) Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain
Died	2 February 1897(1897-02-02) (aged 65) San Telmo Palace, Seville, Spain
Burial	7 February 1897(1897-02-07) Infantes Pantheon, Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Infanta María Luisa Fernanda of Spain (30 January 1832 – 2 February 1897) was Infanta of Spain and Duchess of Montpensier. She was the youngest daughter of king Ferdinand VII of Spain and his fourth wife Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies, the queen-regent, who was also his niece.

Biography

Luisa Fernanda in 1847

Heiress-presumptive

When her elder sister Isabella II of Spain succeeded to the throne, Infanta Luisa Fernanda was heiress-presumptive to the crown between 1833 and 1851, when Isabella's oldest surviving daughter was born.

Marriage

Isabella had been engaged to their first cousin Francis, Duke of Cádiz, who was known to be homosexual and rumored impotent. Their kinsman, king Louis Philippe of France calculated that no children would be born from Isabella's marriage, and planned the crown of Spain to eventually devolve to his own grandchildren. For this purpose, Luisa Fernanda was engaged to Antoine, Duke of Montpensier (1824–90), the youngest son of king Louis Philippe, who also was Luisa's mother's first cousin.

Luisa Fernanda, only 14 years old, and Duke Antoine, 22, had their nuptials on 10 October 1846 as a double wedding with Isabella and Francis', and young Antoine was elevated to the rank of an Infante of Spain. The couple moved to Paris and later to Sevilla.

The relationship between Isabella and her sister was tense, due to Antoine's conspiracies against the queen.^[1]

Antoine's father was deposed in 1848. The same year, the then 16-year-old Luisa Fernanda gave birth to their first child, Maria Isabel. After Isabella was deposed, the family went to exile. Luisa returned to Sevilla years later, already widowed, where she died.^[1] She is buried at Escorial.

Issue

Infanta Luisa Fernanda with her husband Duke of Montpensier and four of their children

Luisa Fernanda and Antoine had nine children, but only five reached adulthood.^[2]

• Infanta Maria Isabel (1848–1919), who married her first cousin Philippe, comte de Paris (1838–94), the French claimant, and became known as Marie Isabelle, comtesse de Paris. She had several children.
• Infanta Maria Amelia (1851–70).
• Infanta Maria Cristina (1852–79). After her younger sister Mercedes died, she was engaged to Alfonso XII, five years her junior, but she died before the wedding.
• infanta Maria de la Regla (1856–61).
• Infante Fernando (1859–73).
• Infanta Maria de las Mercedes (1860–78), otherwise Princess Marie des Graces d'Orleans-Montpensier, who married her first cousin Alfonso XII and is historically known as Mercedes of Orleans, queen of Spain. No children.
• Infante Felipe Raimundo Maria (1862–64)
• Infante Antonio (1866–1930), became Duke of Galliera in Italy. He married his first cousin Infanta Eulalia of Spain (1864–1958), daughter of Isabella II, and had two sons:

Royal styles of HRH Infanta Luisa Fernanda
Reference style	Her Royal Highness
Spoken style	Your Royal Highness
Alternative style	Ma'am

• • Infante Alfonso (1886–1975), 5th Duke of Galliera (1930–37), who married Princess Beatrice of Edinburgh, daughter of Prince Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and had three sons, though only the oldest one left issue. General of the Spanish Air Force.
  • Infante Luís (1888–1945), who married Marie Charlotte Say (1857–1943). No issue.
• Infante Luis Maria Felipe Antonio (1867–74)

Descendants

Of all her children, just Marie Isabelle de Paris and Antonio di Galliera left issue. Through Antonio, the now non-royal line of dukes of Galliera continues. Alfonso's grandchildren lost royal status because of non-dynastic marriages. The current Duke of Galliera is Alfonso's great-grandson, Don Alfonso Francesco de Orléans-Borbón y Ferarra-Pignatelli.^[2]

Arms of alliance of Infanta Luisa Fernanda and her husband.

Through Marie Isabelle, she became great-grandmother of king Manuel II of Portugal, Luís Filipe, Duke of Braganza, Dukes Amedeo II of Aosta and Aimone of Spoleto, Princess Dolores Czartoryski, Princess Esperanza of Orleans-Braganza, Countess Mercedes of Barcelona (king Juan Carlos' mother), and Henri, comte de Paris.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

• 30 January 1832 – 10 October 1846: Her Royal Highness Infanta Luisa Fernanda of Spain
• 10 October 1846 – 4 February 1890: Her Royal Highness Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier
• 4 February 1890 – 2 February 1897: Her Royal Highness Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Dowager Duchess of Montpensier

The Duchess's complete style, after her marriage, was: Su Alteza Real la Serenísma y Egregia Señora Infanta Doña Luisa Fernanda de Borbón y Borbón, Duquesa de Montpensier (in English: Her Royal Highness the Most Serene and Egregius Lady Infanta Doña Luisa Feranada de Bourbon, Duchess of Montpensier).

Ancestry

References

1. ^ ^{a b} [1]^{[dead link]}
2. ^ ^{a b} HRH Infanta Doña Luisa Fernanda and her descenants

v · Princesses of Orléans by marriage 1st generation none 2nd generation Françoise Marie de Bourbon, Légitimée de France, "Mademoiselle de Blois"^ 3rd generation Margravine Johanna of Baden-Baden^ 4th generation Louise Henriette de Bourbon, Duchess of Étampes, "Mademoiselle de Conti"^ 5th generation Louise Marie Adélaïde de Bourbon, "Mademoiselle de Penthièvre"^ 6th generation Princess Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily^ 7th generation Duchess Helene of Mecklenburg-Schwerin  · Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha · Princess Francisca of Brazil  · Princess Maria Carolina of the Two Sicilies · Infanta Luisa Fernanda of Spain 8th generation Princess Marie Isabelle d'Orléans*  · Princess Françoise d'Orléans* · Infanta Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil · Duchess Sophie Charlotte in Bavaria · Infanta Eulalia of Spain 9th generation Archduchess Maria Dorothea of Austria · Isabella, Marchioness of Valdeterrazo · Princess Isabelle d'Orléans* · Princess Henriette of Belgium · Princess Beatrice of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha · Marie Constance Say** 10th generation Princess Isabelle of Orléans-Braganza · Carla Parodi-Delfino** 11th generation Duchess Marie Thérèse of Württemberg · Micaela Cousiño** · Beatrice de Pasquier de Franclieu** · Gersende de Sabran-Pontèves** · Marion Gordon-Orr** · Emilia Ferrara-Pignatelli** · Giovanna San Martino d'Aglie di San Germano** · Antonella Rendina** 12th generation Philomena de Tornos** · Marie-Liesse de Rohan-Chabot** · Diana, Duchess of Cadaval · Ileana Manos** · Véronique Goeders** · Anne Laure van Exter** · Guadalupe Solís** *also a princess of Orléans in her own right **did not have a royal or noble title by birth ^never styled Princess of Orléans

v · d · eThe Bourbons of Spain  Philip V Spouse(s) HH Princess Maria Luisa Gabriella of Savoy  • HH Elisabeth Farnese Children Louis I*  • Felipe*  • Felipe*  • Ferdinand VI*  • Charles III*  • Francisco*  • Mariana Víctoria, Queen of Portugal*  • Philip, Duke of Parma*  • Maria Teresa Rafaela, Dauphine of France*  • Luis, Count of Chinchón*  • Maria Antonietta, Queen of Sardinia* Siblings Louis, Duke of Burgundy  • Charles, Duke of Berry Grandchildren María Isabel Antonia  • María Josefa Antonieta  • María Isabel Ana  • María Josefa Carmela  • Maria Luisa, Holy Roman Empress  • Felipe, Duke of Calabria  • Charles IV  • María Teresa  • Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies  • Gabriel  • Ana María  • Antonio Pascual  • Francisco Javier  • Isabella, Archduchess of Austria  • Ferdinand, Duke of Parma  • Maria Luisa, Queen of Spain  • Luis, Count of Chinchón  • Maria Teresa, Countess of Chinchón  • María Luisa, Duchess of San Fernando de Quiroga  Louis I Spouse(s) HSH Louise Élisabeth d'Orléans  Ferdinand VI Spouse(s) HH Infanta Maria Bárbara of Portugal  Charles III Spouse(s) HH Princess Maria Amalia of Saxony Children María Isabel Antonia  • María Josefa Antonieta  • María Isabel Ana  • María Josefa Carmela  • Maria Luisa, Holy Roman Empress  • Felipe, Duke of Calabria  • Charles IV  • María Teresa  • Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies*  • Gabriel  • Ana María  • Antonio Pascual  • Francisco Javier Grandchildren Carlos Clemente  • Carlota Joaquina, Queen of Portugal  • Maria Luisa  • Maria Amalia  • Carlos Domingo  • Maria Luisa, Duchess of Lucca  • Carlos Francisco  • Felipe Francisco  • Ferdinand VII  • Carlos, Count of Molina  • Maria Isabella, Queen of the Two Sicilies  • Maria Teresa  • Felipe Maria  • Francisco de Paula  • Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress*  • Luisa, Grand Duchess of Tuscany*  • Carlo, Duke of Calabria*  • Maria Ana*  • Francis I of the Two Sicilies*  • Maria Christina, Queen of Sardinia*  • Maria Cristina Amelia*  • Gennaro*  • Giuseppe*  • Maria Amalia, Queen of the French*  • Maria Cristina*  • Maria Antonia, Princess of Asturias*  • Maria Clothilde*  • Maria Enrichetta*  • Carlo*  • Leopold, Prince of Salerno*  • Alberto*  • Maria Isabella* Great grandchildren Carlos, Count of Montemolin  • Juan, Count of Montizón  • Fernando  • Isabella II of Spain  • Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier  • Francisco de Asis  • Isabel  • Francis, Duke of Cádiz  • Henry, Duke of Seville  • Luisa, Duchess of Moscoso  • Duarte Felipe  • Josefina  • Teresa  • Fernando  • Maria Cristina, Infanta of Portugal  • Amelia Philippina, Princess Adalbert of Bavaria  •  Charles IV Spouse(s) HRH Princess Maria Luisa of Parma Children Carlos Clemente  • Carlota Joaquina, Queen of Portugal  • Maria Luisa  • Maria Amalia  • Carlos Domingo  • Maria Luisa, Duchess of Lucca  • Carlos Francisco  • Felipe Francisco  • Ferdinand VII  • Carlos, Count of Molina  • Maria Isabella, Queen of the Two Sicilies  • Maria Teresa  • Felipe Maria  • Francisco de Paula Grandchildren Carlos, Count of Montemolin  • Juan, Count of Montizón  • Fernando  • Isabella II of Spain  • Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier  • Francisco de Asis  • Isabel  • Francis, Duke of Cádiz  • Henry, Duke of Seville  • Luisa, Duchess of Moscoso  • Duarte Felipe  • Josefina  • Teresa  • Fernando  • Maria Cristina, Infanta of Portugal  • Amelia Philippina, Princess Adalbert of Bavaria  Ferdinand VII Spouse(s) HRH Princess Maria Antonia of Naples and Sicily*  • HRH Infanta Maria Isabel of Portugal  • HH Princess Maria Josepha of Saxony  • HRH Princess Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies* Children Isabella II of Spain  • Maria Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier  •  Isabella II Spouse(s) HRH Infante Francis, Duke of Cadiz Children Ferdinand, Prince of Asturias  • Isabella, Princess of Asturias  • Maria Cristina  • Alfonso XII of Spain  • Maria de la Concepcion  • Maria de Pilar  • María de la Paz, Princess Ludwig of Bavaria  • Francisco de Asis  • Eulalia, Duchess of Galliera  Alfonso XII Spouse(s) HRH Princess Mercedes d'Orléans  • HRH Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria Children Mercedes, Princess of Asturias  • Maria Teresa, Princess and Duchess of Bavaria  • Alfonso XIII of Spain Grandchildren Alfonso, Duke of Calabria*  • Fernando, Prince of Bourbon-Two Sicilies  • Isabella Alfonsa, Princess of Bourbon-Two Sicilies  • Alfonso, Prince of Asturias  • Jaime, Duke of Segovia  • Beatriz, Princess of Civitella-Cesi  • Ferdinand  • Maria Cristina, Countess of Marone  • Juan, Count of Barcelona  • Gonzalo Great grandchildren Teresa, Princess of Bourbon-Two Sicilies  • Carlos, Duke of Calabria*  • Inés Maria, Princess of Bourbon-Two Sicilies  • Alfonso, Duke of Anjou and Cádiz  • Gonzalo, Duke of Aquitaine  • Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz  • Juan Carlos I of Spain  • Margarita, 2nd Duchess of Hernani  • Alfonso  Alfonso XIII Spouse(s) HSH Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg Children Alfonso, Prince of Asturias  • Jaime, Duke of Segovia  • Beatriz, Princess of Civitella-Cesi  • Ferdinand  • Maria Cristina, Countess of Marone  • Juan, Count of Barcelona  • Gonzalo Grandchildren Alfonso, Duke of Anjou and Cádiz  • Gonzalo, Duke of Aquitaine  • Pilar, Duchess of Badajoz  • Juan Carlos I of Spain  • Margarita, 2nd Duchess of Hernani  • Alfonso  Juan Carlos I Spouse(s) HRH Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark Children Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo  • Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca  • Felipe, Prince of Asturias Grandchildren Infanta Leonor of Spain  • Infanta Sofía of Spain *also a Prince or Princess of the Two Sicilies **also an Archduchess of Austria ***both