Francisco de Asís, Duke of Cádiz

Francisco de Asís
Duke of Cádiz
Photograph by Herbert, c 1860
King consort of Spain
Tenure	10 October 1846 – 30 September 1868
Born	(1822-05-13)13 May 1822 Royal Palace of Aranjuez, Aranjuez, Kingdom of Spain
Died	17 April 1902(1902-04-17) (aged 79) Épinay-sur-Seine, Paris, French Third Republic
Burial	El Escorial
Spouse	Isabella II of Spain (m. 1846)
Issue	Infanta Isabel Alfonso XII Infanta Pilar Infanta Paz Infanta Eulalia
Full name Francisco de Asís María Fernando de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias
House	Bourbon-Anjou
Father	Infante Francisco de Paula of Spain
Mother	Princess Luisa Carlotta of the Two Sicilies
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Francisco de Asís, Duke of Cádiz (Francisco de Asís María Fernando de Borbón; 13 May 1822 – 17 April 1902) was King consort of Spain. He was the husband of Queen Isabella II of Spain from their marriage on 10 October 1846 until Isabella was overthrown on 30 September 1868. Sometimes, his name occurs in its anglicised form as Francis of Assisi. He kept the style and title of king even after her abdication in favour of their son, Alfonso XII. His son was a king regnant, while Francisco himself was a king-father during the reign of the son.

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

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. Only five reached adulthood:

• Infanta María Isabel (1851–1931): married her mother's and father's first cousin Prince Gaetan, Count of Girgenti.
• Alfonso XII of Spain (1857–1885).
• 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 Don Antonio de Orléans y Borbón, Infante of Spain, Duke of Galliera.

Later life

Francis of Assisi of Bourbon king consort of Spain

Starting in 1864, Francisco de Asís 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. 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 moved into the château of Épinay-sur-Seine. Today, this chateau serves as the town hall. He died there in 1902. His wife Isabella and two of his daughters, Isabel and Eulalia, were present at his deathbed.