This announcement was published in the June 30, 2025, issue of the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE)
La sucesión como Duquesa de Sevilla, con Grandeza de España, ha sido solicitada por doña Olivia Enriqueta de Borbón Von Hardenberg, por fallecimiento de su padre, don Francisco de Paula de Borbón y Escasany, lo que se anuncia por el plazo de treinta días, contados a partir de la publicación de este edicto, a los efectos del artículo 6º del Real Decreto de 27 de mayo de 1912, en su redacción dada por Real Decreto 222/1988, de 11 de marzo, para que puedan solicitar lo conveniente los que se consideren con derecho al referido título.
This translates to:
The succession as Duchess of Seville, with Grandee of Spain, has been requested by Doña Olivia Enriqueta de Borbón Von Hardenberg, due to the death of her father, Don Francisco de Paula de Borbón y Escasany, which is announced for a period of thirty days, counting from the publication of this edict, for the purposes of article 6 of the Royal Decree of May 27, 1912, in its wording given by Royal Decree 222/1988, of March 11, so that those who consider themselves entitled to the aforementioned title may request what is appropriate.
Madrid, June 20, 2025.- The Director, Elisa Carolina de Santos.
Since October 2006, the eldest child has been the heir to a Spanish peerage; however, it is still possible for others, such as a younger brother, to request the right to succeed.
This may be the case for the succession to the dukedom of Seville, which was created in 1823 by King Fernando VII for his nephew, Infante Enrique of Spain.
Francisco de Paula Enrique de Borbón y Escasany, who died on May 20, 2025, was the 5th Duke of Seville. He held the title from October 22, 1968, until his death. He inherited the dukedom after his father, Don Fernando, renounced his rights to the title, allowing Francisco to apply for the dukedom.
Don Fernando's mother, Doña Enriqueta de Borbón y Parade, 4th Duchess of Seville, died in 1967.
Before his death, the late duke stated that he wanted his son, Don Francisco, to succeed him mainly due to the tradition of male primogeniture and the title's connection to the Military Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem. Don Francisco is the Order's Grand Master.
Don Francisco has thirty days to petition for the right to succeed his father. He recently told the Spanish press: "Olivia and I laugh at this show they're trying to put on. I assure you that our family will never be torn apart by this issue (of the Duchy of Seville), and this will end considering the love we have for each other and how united we are."
https://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-duke-of-seville-1943-2025.html
