Infanta Isabel of Spain
Infanta Isabel of Spain, was born on 20th December 1851, at the Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain.
She was the eldest daughter of Queen Isabella II, and her husband Francisco de Asís, Duke of Cádiz.
Isabel was descended from Louis XIV of France & Maria Theresa of Spain.
Her birth was eagerly awaited, since her mother had previously given birth to a son, who had died within hours.
Isabel was recognized as the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne twice: from 1851 to 1857 and from 1874 to 1880.
She was given the title Princess of Asturias, which was reserved for the heir to the Spanish crown.
With only a brother of delicate health ahead of her in the line of succession to the throne, there was great interest in arranging an early marriage for Infanta Isabel that would provide heirs.
She was married to Prince Gaetan, Count of Girgenti, son of King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies.
Neither Infanta Isabel nor Gaetan, were enthusiastic about the match.
Gaetan was tall and good-hearted, but penniless and plagued by ill health.
He was known for his lack of intellect.
Infanta Isabel was short, blond, with clear blue eyes, and a small up-turned nose.
She was dutiful, conservative, but headstrong.
Two months after the Wedding, the young couple went to the Austrian court, where Gaetan’s maternal relatives lived.
Gaetan was constantly plagued by ill health, and depression.
For two years, the couple embarked on a series of trips through Europe, searching in vain, for a solution to Gaetan’s health.
On their way back to Spain, while visiting Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie at Fontainebleau, they received the news of the ‘Glorious Revolution’ that cost Isabel’s mother, Queen Isabella II, her throne.
In September 1871, Isabel suffered a miscarriage.
The loss of this child, the loss of the Spanish crown, and his declining health, contributed to Gaetan sinking into a deep depression – he attempted suicide by jumping from a window.
After that, he was never allowed to be alone, and between Isabel and Gaetan’s attendants, he was constantly supervised.
However, on 26th November 1871, while they were staying in a hotel in Lucerne, Gaetan managed to lock himself in a room and shoot himself in the head.
He was found still alive, but died shortly thereafter.
Now a young widow, barely twenty years old, Isabel, who had become greatly attached to her husband, mourned his tragic death.
She moved to the Palacio Castilla in Paris with her mother, now the ex-Queen Isabella.
Over the next three years, the infanta led a quiet family life over-seeing the education of her three younger sisters, visiting her father, the ex-King consort Don Francisco de Asís, and above all, concerned about the future of her brother, Alfonso.
Infanta Isabel worked hard to promote the restoration of the Spanish monarchy.
Isabel was by her brother Alfonso’s side, when the Monarchy was restored.
During the first years of her brother’s reign, Isabel worked constantly to promote the cause of the monarchy, and was a great asset to her brother.
She continued to be a prominent figure at the royal court of Spain, and would become the most popular member of the Spanish royal family.
Isabel died on 22nd April 1931, at the age of 79, in exile in France.
Her famous Mellerio Shell Tiara, descended into the current Spanish royal family, and is frequently worn by Queen Sofía.
In 1991, King Juan Carlos ordered the transfer of Isabel’s remains to Spain from France.
Her remains were then entombed in the chapel of the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso near Segovia.
