Friday, June 22, 2012

Another boy for Queen Ena

June 22, 1908


Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain gave birth tonight to a second son at the royal family's summer palace at La Granja.  The Queen and her infant son are both doing well, according to the royal physicians, who "were hastily summoned" earlier this afternoon.  The Dowager Queen Maria Cristina, Infanta Isabel and Premier Maura were all "immediately advised and proceeded at once to the palace in automobiles."

King Alfonso XIII was "radiant with joy" when he announced the birth of his seconds son to several people who were waiting outside the birth room.  Other members of the Royal Family arrived about thirty minutes after the birth, and they all offered their congratulations to the King on the birth of a son, "who doubly secures the succession to the throne."

The Minister of Justice, Marquis Figueroa arrived ten minutes before the birth, "just in time to perform the formalities of witnessing, which pertains to his office."

Queen Victoria Eugenia, the former Princess Ena of Battenberg, and King Alfonso XIII were married in Madrid on May 31, 1906. Their first son, Alfonso, Prince of Asturias, was born in May 1907. 

The names of the newest member of the Spanish royal family were not announced.

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