Ferdinand, Prince of Asturias

Ferdinand, Prince of Asturias (4 December 1571 – 18 October 1578) was a member of the House of Habsburg who was heir apparent to the Spanish throne.

Ferdinand
Prince of Asturias
Portrait by Sánchez Coello, c. 1575
Born	4 December 1571 Madrid, Crown of Castile, Spain
Died	18 October 1578(1578-10-18) (aged 6) Madrid, Crown of Castile, Spain
Burial	El Escorial
House	Habsburg
Father	Philip II of Spain
Mother	Anna of Austria

Biography

Painting by Titian of Ferdinand's father offering him to victory

Born on 4 December 1571 at the Royal Alcázar of Madrid, Ferdinand was the eldest child of Philip II and Anne of Austria.^[1][2] His mother was Philip II's niece and fourth wife.^[3][4] His elder half-brother, Don Carlos, had died in 1568, which meant that he was the new heir-apparent at birth and therefore Prince of Asturias. To thank God for the birth of the long-awaited son, prisoners were released – as commemorated in Titian's painting, Philip II Offering Don Fernando to Victory.^[5][6]

Most of his time was spent with his mother, his nurses and his two elder half sisters Catherine and Isabella.^{[citation needed]}

On 31 May 1573, Ferdinand was officially made Prince of Asturias at San Jerónimo el Real.^{[citation needed]}

Ferdinand died of dysentery.^{[citation needed]} His father was eventually succeeded by his youngest brother, Philip III of Spain.