Thursday, September 8, 2011

Spain-Austria marriage: Maria Christina to Marry Alfonso XII

September 8, 1879


According to the latest foreign dispatch to the New York Times, Señor Canovas del Castillo has been "charged with the mission of officially asking the hand of the Archduchess Marie Christine of Austria in marriage with King Alfonso."

HI & RH Archduches Marie Christine Desideria Henriette Felicitas Raineria was born at Gross-Seelowitz on July 21, 1858.  She is the third child and first daughter of Archduke Karl Ferdinand and his wife, Archduchess Elisabeth.  Her eldest brother, Franz Joseph lived for only a few days in March 1855.  Her older brother, Archduke Friedrich, who is two years her senior, was married last October 8 to Princess Isabella of Croy.  They expect their first child later this year.

This will be the second marriage for the Spanish king, who will celebrate his 22nd birthday on November 28.  He married his first cousin, Infanta Mercedes, on January 23, 1878.  She succumbed to consumption six months later on June 26. 

The much adored Infanta Mercedes was the sixth child of Infanta Luisa Fernanda of Spain and Prince Antoine d'Orleans, Duke of Montpensier, Infant of Spain.

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