Royal Baptism

May 20, 1898

The Marquise de Fontenoy reports today on the baptism of the first child of the Duke and Duchess of Calabria, which took place recently at the royal palace in Madrid "in the presence of the Queen Regent." The little prince represents the living fifth generation, which is unique.

Prince Ferdinand of Bourbon-Two Sicilies is a "young officer of artillery and a quiet and assuming young fellow, exceedingly hard up and almost entirely dependent upon the allowance granted to him by his cousin, the Queen Regent." Last year, he married his cousin, Princess Maria of Bavaria, and they now make their home in Madrid.

The new princess's sponsors were her grandparents, the "titular King and Queen of Naples," who is better known as the Count and Countess of Caserta. The infant was presented for baptism by her great-grandmother, Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria, who is the mother of Queen Maria Cristina, the Queen Regnant of Spain. She was named Maria Antonietta Leona in honor of her great-great-grandmother, Grand Duchess Maria of Tuscany, who is still alive.
The Count and Countess of Caserta now make their home in Cannes, "where they have had many American friends and acquaintances."

The infant princess was born on April 16 in Madrid.