Monday, October 27, 2008

Impending engagement in Spain???

October 27, 1906

Is Prince Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies about to become engaged to French princess Louise d'Orleans? The princess, who is the youngest daughter of the late Count of Paris, was once rumored to be a bride for King Alfonso XIII.
Princess Louise is a "handsome girl, extremely accomplished," and has spent a great deal of her time in Spain, at Villamanrique, her mother's estate near Seville. The princess has close ties to the Spanish court.
Louise's mother, Infanta Maria Isabel, is a member of the Spanish royal family, as her mother was Infanta Luisa Fernanda, younger sister of Queen Isabel. Luisa Fernanda's husband Prince Antoine of Orleans, Duke of Montpensier, was created an Infant of Spain after the wedding. This title was also given to Luisa Fernanda and Antoine's children.
This would be Prince Carlos' second marriage. In 1901, Carlos married King Alfonso's sister, Mercedes, the Princess of the Asturias. Carlos was created an Infant of Spain, and the couple's two children, Alfonso and Isabel Alfonsa, were also created infants of Spain. Young Alfonso is currently first in line to the Spanish throne.
Mercedes died after giving birth to Isabel Alfonsa.
Thus, Princess Louise would become stepmother to two young children, who are the immediate heirs to the Spanish throne.
Two of Louise's older sisters have made grand marriages. Marie Amelie is the wife of King Carlos of Portugal and and Isabelle is married to the Duke of Guise.

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