Francisco de Asís María Fernando de Borbón, sometimes anglicised Francis of Assisi (13 May 1822 – 17 April 1902), was the husband of Queen Isabella II of Spain and king consort from 1846 to 1868. He is commonly styled Duke of Cádiz, the title he held before his marriage. Francis was the son of Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain and Princess Luisa Carlotta of Naples and Sicily

Family

Francis was born at Aranjuez, Spain, the second son (first to survive infancy) of Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain, and of his wife (and niece), Princess Luisa Carlotta of Naples and Sicily. He was named after Saint Francis of Assisi.

Francis' paternal grandparents were Charles IV of Spain and Maria Luisa of Parma. Their daughter, María Isabella of Spain, and Francis I of the Two Sicilies were his maternal grandparents.

Marriage and children

Francis married Isabella, his double first cousin, on 10 October 1846. There is evidence that Isabella would rather have married his younger brother, Infante Enrique, Duke of Seville, and complained bitterly about her husband's effeminate habits after their first night together.

Twelve children were born during the marriage, of whom five reached adulthood:

• Isabella, Princess of Asturias (1851–1931): married her mother's and father's first cousin Prince Gaetan, Count of Girgenti.
• Alfonso XII of Spain (1857–1885).
• Maria de Pilar (1861–1879).
• Infanta María de la Paz (1862–1946): married her paternal first cousin Prince Louis Ferdinand of Bavaria.
• Infanta Eulalia (1864–1958): married her maternal first cousin Don Antonio de Orléans y Borbón, Infante of Spain, Duke of Galliera.

There has been considerable speculation that some or all of Isabella's children were not fathered by Francis; this has been bolstered by rumours that Francis was either homosexual or physically unable to complete the sex act.

Later life

Starting in 1864, Francis acted as president of the Spanish Privy Council (Consejo del Reino). In 1868 he went into exile with his wife in France and adopted the incognito title of Count of Moratalla. In 1870 Francis and Isabella were amicably separated and, with time, became good friends, which they had certainly not been while she was Queen regnant. The 1874 restoration placed his son Alfonso XII on the throne.

In 1881 Francis took up residence at the château of Épinay-sur-Seine (currently the city hall). He died there in 1902. His wife Isabella and two of his daughters, Isabella and Eulalia, were present at his deathbed.[1]

Styles and titles[edit]

• 13 May 1822 – 10 October 1846: His Royal Highness The Duke of Cádiz
• 10 October 1846 – 25 June 1870: His Majesty The King of Spain
• 25 June 1870 – 17 April 1902: His Majesty King Francis of Spain

Honours[edit]

• Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
• Knight of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III
• Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic

Foreign

• Knight of the Order of the Most Holy Annunciation
• Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim

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