Francisco de Asís, Duke of Cádiz

Francisco de Asís (Francisco de Asís María Fernando de Borbón; 13 May 1822 – 17 April 1902) was King of Spain as the husband of Queen Isabella II from their marriage in 1846 until Isabella's deposition in 1868. Francisco and his wife were double first cousins, as their fathers were brothers and their mothers were sisters. Isabella was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1868, but the monarchy was restored under their son Alfonso XII in 1874.

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Family

Francisco de Asís 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 the Two Sicilies. He was named after Saint Francis of Assisi.

Marriage and children

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Perspective

Francisco married Queen Isabella II of Spain, 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.^[1]

Twelve children were born during the marriage:^[2]^[3]

Infante Luis Fernando (20 May 1849), stillbirth.
Infante Fernando Francisco (12 July 1850), died five minutes after birth.
Infanta María Isabel (1851–1931): married her mother's and father's first cousin Prince Gaetan, Count of Girgenti.
Infanta Maria Cristina (5 January 1854 - 7 January).
Infanta Margarita (23 September 1855 - 24 September 1855), born prematurely.
Infante Francisco de Asis Fernando (21 December 1856), stillbirth.
Alfonso XII of Spain (1857–1885) Future King of Spain.
Infanta Maria de la Conception (1859 - 21 October 1861).
Infanta María del Pilar (1861–1879).
Infanta María de la Paz (1862–1946); married her paternal first cousin Prince Louis Ferdinand of Bavaria.
Infanta María Eulalia (1864–1958); married her maternal first cousin Infante Antonio d'Orléans, Duke of Galliera.
Infante Francisco de Asis Leopoldo Maria Enrique (24 January 1866 - 14 February 1866).

There has been considerable speculation that some or all of Isabella's children were not fathered by Francisco de Asís; this has been bolstered by rumours that Francisco de Asís was either homosexual or impotent. Francisco de Asís recognised all of them: he played the offended, proceeding to blackmail the queen to receive money in exchange for keeping his mouth shut.^[4] The extortion by her husband would continue and intensify during Isabella's exile.^[5]^: 217

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Later life

Starting in 1864, Francisco de Asís acted as president of the Spanish Privy Council (Consejo del Reino).

In 1868 Francisco went into exile with his wife in France and adopted the incognito title of Count of Moratalla. On 25 June 1870, Isabella abdicated in favour of their son Alfonso XII—whom the 1874 restoration placed on the throne. By then, Francisco de Asís and Isabella had amicably separated and, with time, became good friends.

In 1881 Francisco de Asís took up residence at the Château of Épinay-sur-Seine (currently the town hall). He died there in 1902. His wife Isabella and two of his daughters, Isabel and Eulalia, were present at his deathbed.^[6]