Maria Christina Henriette Desideria Felicitas Raineria of Austria,[1] also known as Maria Christina Henrietta Désirée Félicité Rénière[2] (21 July 1858 – 6 February 1929) was Queen of Spain as the second wife of King Alfonso XII. She was regent during the minority of their son, Alfonso XIII, and the vacancy of the throne between her husband's death and her son's birth.
Early life
Known to her family as Christa, she was born at Židlochovice Castle (Groß Seelowitz), near Brno, in Moravia, a daughter of Archduke Karl Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska of Austria.[2]
Her paternal grandparents were Archduke Charles of Austria and Princess Henriette Alexandrine of Nassau-Weilburg.
Various sources attributed good traits to Maria Christina before her marriage. One states she was "tall, fair, sensible, and well educated".[3] She was Princess-Abbess of the Theresian Royal and Imperial Ladies Chapter of the Castle of Prague (1875-1879).[4]
Marriage and issue
Maria Christina married King Alfonso XII of Spain on 29 November 1879 at the Basilica of Atocha in Madrid, and became the mother of his only three legitimate children:
His previous wife was Mercedes of Orléans, who had died half a year after their marriage, leaving no issue. She lived a discreet life as queen.
Royal Monogram of Queen Maria Christina of Spain
Widowhood
Maria Christina with her three children, 1897.
When the King died, Maria Christina was pregnant, so the throne was vacant, depending on whether Maria Christina's unborn child was a male or a female; a male would make that child king, while a female would place her elder daughter, Infanta María Mercedes, on the throne. During this period, Maria Christina ruled as regent until her child, a son, was born, who was Alfonso XIII of Spain from birth. Maria Christina continued as regent until Alfonso XIII attained his majority in 1902; she is the "Her Majesty the Queen Regent of Spain" named as concluding in the Treaty of Paris (1898) with the United States of America, ending the Spanish–American War.
Her chief adviser and head of government was Práxedes Mateo Sagasta. Her rule is described as well balanced and in accordance with respect for the constitutional rights, and many political reforms were instated during her regency to prevent political conflicts and chaos. Her role was mostly ceremonial, and her purpose was to preserve the crown for her son until he became an adult.
After her son's marriage in 1906, she lost her position as first lady at court. Nevertheless, Alfonso XIII continued to look to her on many occasions for advice.
She was the 805th Dame of the Royal Order of Queen Maria Luisa.
In February 1929, after some weeks of heart disease, she died at the Royal Palace in Madrid and is buried at El Escorial. Sir Charles Petrie, Alfonso XIII's biographer, maintained that the Queen dowager's death had a disastrous effect on her son, and that the latter never recovered politically from the blow. Within little more than two years the monarchy had collapsed.
Heraldry
Heraldry of Maria Christina of Austria |
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Coat of arms as Queen Consort of Spain (1879–1885) |
Coat of arms as Queen Dowager of Spain (1885–1929) |
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Ancestry
Ancestors of Maria Christina of Austria |
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| 16. Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor |
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| 8. Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor | |
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| 17. Maria Theresa of Austria |
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| 4. Archduke Charles, Duke of Teschen | |
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| 18. Charles III of Spain |
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| 9. Maria Louisa of Spain | |
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| 19. Maria Amalia of Saxony |
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| 2. Archduke Karl Ferdinand of Austria | |
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| 20. Charles Christian, Prince of Nassau-Weilburg |
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| 10. Frederick William, Duke of Nassau | |
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| 21. Princess Carolina of Orange-Nassau |
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| 5. Princess Henrietta of Nassau-Weilburg | |
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| 22. Wilhelm Georg, Count of Sayn-Hachenburg |
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| 11. Burgravine Louise Isabelle of Kirchberg | |
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| 23. Princess Isabella Auguste Reuss of Greiz |
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| 1. Archduchess Maria Christina of Austria | |
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| 24. Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor (= 16) |
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| 12. Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor (= 8) | |
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| 25. Maria Theresa of Austria (= 17) |
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| 6. Archduke Joseph, Palatine of Hungary | |
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| 26. Charles III of Spain (= 18) |
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| 13. Maria Louisa of Spain (= 9) | |
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| 27. Maria Amalia of Saxony (= 19) |
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| 3. Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska of Austria | |
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| 28. Frederick II Eugene, Duke of Württemberg |
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| 14. Duke Louis of Württemberg | |
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| 29. Friederike Dorothea of Brandenburg-Schwedt |
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| 7. Duchess Maria Dorothea of Württemberg | |
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| 30. Charles Christian, Prince of Nassau-Weilburg (= 20) |
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| 15. Princess Henriette of Nassau-Weilburg | |
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| 31. Princess Carolina of Orange-Nassau (= 21) |
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Bibliography
References
- ↑ "Maria Christina (Henriette Desideria Felicitas Raineria), Sternkreuzordens-Dame, Ehrengroßkreuz des souveränen Malteser-Ritterordens; geb. zu Groß-Seelowitz den 21. Juli 1858, vermählt zu Madrid den 29. November 1879 mit Seiner Majestät Alphons XII., König von Spanien, Inhaber des Infanterie-regiments Nr. 94, Witwe seit 25. November 1885." Schematismus für das kaiserliche und königliche Heer und für die kaiserliche und königliche Kriegsmarine für 1904. Vienna: Druck und Verlag der k.k. Hof- und Staatsdruckerei, December 1903. p.22
- 1 2 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Christina of Spain". Encyclopædia Britannica. 6 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 292.
- ↑ Wormeley Latimer, p. 382.
- ↑ http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/czech_eccleastical.htm
Sources
- Campos y Fernández de Sevilla, Francisco-Javier. María Cristina de Habsburgo y la Regencia, 1885–1902. San Lorenzo de El Escorial: Estudios Superiores del Escorial, Real Colegio Universitario "María Cristina", 1994.
- Cancio R. Capote, Rita Maria. The Function of Maria Christina of Austria's Regency, 1885–1902, in Preserving the Spanish Monarchy. México: Ediciones Botas, 1957.
- Figueroa y Torres, Alvaro de, Conde de Romanones. Doña María Cristina de Habsburgo Lorena, la discreta regente de España. Madrid: Espasa-Calpe, 1934.
- Martín Alonso, Aurelio. Diez y seis años de regencia, María Cristina de Hapsburgo-Lorena, 1885–1902. Barcelona: L. Tasso, 1914.
- Thoma, Helga. Habsburgs letzte Herrscherin: Maria Christine, Erzherzogin von Österreich, Königin-Regentin von Spanien. Wien-Klosterneuburg: Edition Va Bene, 2003.
- Wormeley Latimer, Elizabeth (1907). Spain in the Nineteenth Century. Chicago: A.C. McClurg & Co.
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5th generation | |
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6th generation |
- Isabella Clara Eugenia, Co-sovereign of the Habsburg Hetherlands*
- Catherine Michelle, Duchess of Savoy*
- Archduchess Maria*
- Anna, Queen of Spain
- Elisabeth, Queen of France
- Archduchess Maria (1555–56)
- Archduchess Maria (1564)
- Archduchess Margaret (1567–1633)
- Archduchess Eleanor (1568-80)
- Archduchess Maria (1562-67)
- Archduchess Anna Eleanor
- Archduchess Maria (1584–1649)
- Anna, Holy Roman Empress
- Anna, Queen of Poland
- Maria Christina, Princess of Transilvania
- Archduchess Catherine Renata
- Archduchess Elisabeth (1577–86)
- Archduchess Gregoria Maximiliana
- Archduchess Eleanor (1582–1620)
- Margaret, Queen of Spain
- Constance, Queen of Poland
- Maria Maddalena, Grand Duchess of Tuscany
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12th generation | |
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13th generation |
- Archduchess Ludovika Elisabeth
- Marie Louise, Empress of the French
- Archduchess Carolina Ferdinande**
- Archduchess Maria Caroline
- Archduchess Caroline Ludovika
- Maria Leopoldina, Empress of Brazil
- Clementina, Princess of Salerno
- Archduchess Maria Luisa**
- Archduchess Alexandrine
- Maria Theresa, Queen of Sardinia**
- Marie Caroline, Crown Princess of Saxony
- Archduchess Maria Anna
- Archduchess Amalia Theresa
- Maria Theresa, Queen of the Two Sicilies
- Maria Theresa, Countess of Chambord***
- Archduchess Hermine
- Archduchess Franziska
- Archduchess Maria Caroline
- Adelaide, Queen of Sardinia
- Maria Beatrix, Countess of Montizón***
- Archduchess Maria Caroline
- Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska
- Marie Henriette, Queen of the Belgians
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14th generation | |
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15th generation |
- Archduchess Sophie
- Gisela, Princess Leopold of Bavaria
- Archduchess Marie Valerie
- Margarete Sophie, Duchess of Württemberg
- Archduchess Maria Annunziata
- Elisabeth, Princess Aloys of Liechtenstein
- Archduchess Maria Antonietta**
- Luise, Crown Princess of Saxony**
- Anna, Princess of Hohenlohe-Bartenstein**
- Archduchess Margareta**
- Archduchess Germana**
- Archduchess Agnes**
- Archduchess Maria Theresa**
- Karoline Marie, Princess Leopold of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha**
- Archduchess Maria Antonietta**
- Maria Immaculata, Duchess of Württemberg**
- Archduchess Henriette**
- Maria Christina, Princess Emmanuel of Salm-Salm
- Maria Anna, Princess Elias of Bourbon Parma
- Maria Henrietta, Princess of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst
- Archduchess Natalie
- Archduchess Stephanie
- Archduchess Gabrielle
- Isabella, Princess Georg of Bavaria
- Alice, Baroness Waldbott of Bassenheim
- Archduchess Eleonora, Mrs. Alfons von Kloss
- Renata, Princess Hieronymus Radziwill
- Mechthildis, Princess Olgierd Czartoryski
- Archduchess Gisele
- Archduchess Sophie
- Archduchess Magdalena
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16th generation |
- Elisabeth Marie, Princess of Windisch-Graetz
- Helena, Duchess Philipp of Württemberg**
- Rosa, Duchess of Württemberg**
- Archduchess Dolores**
- Maria Inmaculada, Nobile Inigo Neri Sereneri**
- Margarita, Marchioness Taliani di Marchio**
- Princess Maria Antonia, Mrs. Luis Pérez**
- Archduchess Assunta, Mrs. Joseph Hopfinger**
- Elisabeth, Countess of Waldburg-Zeil**
- Hedwig, Countess of Stolberg-Stolberg**
- Gertrud, Countess of Waldburg-Zeil-Trauchburg**
- Archduchess Maria Elisabeth**
- Archduchess Agnes**
- Archduchess Margarethe, Mrs. Alexander Cech
- Ilona, Duchess of Mecklenburg
- Archduchess Anna Theresia
- Archduchess Maria Kynga, Mrs. Joachim Krist
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17th generation |
- Descent of Charles I :
- Archduchess Adelheid
- Charlotte, Duchess of Mecklenburg
- Elisabeth, Princess Heinrich of Liechtenstein
Tuscany :
- Elisabeth, Edle Hubert von Braun**
- Alice, Baroness Vittorio Manno**
- Marie Antoinette, Baroness of Proff in Irnich**
- Archduchess Marie Christine**
- Archduchess Walburga, Mrs. Carlos Tasso**
- Archduchess Verena**
- Archduchess Katharina, Mrs. Roland Huber**
- Agnes, Baroness Peter of Fürstenberg**
- Maria Ileana, Countess Adam Kottulinski**
- Alexandra, Baroness Viktor of Baillou**
- Maria Magdalena, Baroness of Holzhausen**
- Archduchess Elisabeth, Mrs. Friedrich Sandhofer**
- Agnes, Princess Karl Alfred of Liechtenstein**
- Archduchess Maria Margaretha**
- Archduchess Ludovica**
- Archduchess Allix**
- Josepha, Countess Clemens of Waldstein-Wartenberg**
- Valerie, Margravine of Baden**
- Alberta, Baroness Alexander of Kottwitz-Erdödy**
- Theresa, Princess Rasso of Bavaria**
- Maria Inmakulata, Countess Reinhart of Hoensbroech**
Palatines :
- Archduchess Monika, Mrs. Charles de Rambures
- Archduchess Marie Christine, Mrs. Raymond van der Meide
- Archduchess Maria, Mrs. Wilhelm de Witt
- Margherita, Countess Benedikt of Piatti
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18th generation |
- Descent of Charles I :
- Andrea, Hereditary Countess of Neipperg
- Monika, Duchess of Maqueda
- Michaela, Countess Hubertus of Kageneck
- Archduchess Gabriela, Mrs. Christian Meister
- Walburga, Countess Archibald Douglas
- Maria Beatrix, Countess Riprand of Arco-Zinneberg***
- Isabella, Countess Andrea Czarnocki-Lucheschi***
- Maria del Pilar, Edle Vollrad-Joachim von Poschinger
- Kinga, Baroness Wolfgang of Erffa
- Archduchess Marie Adelheid, Mrs. Jaime Corcuerra
- Archduchess Viridis, Mrs. Karl Dunning-Gribble
- Archduchess Alexandra, Mrs. Héctor Riesle
- Maria Constanza, Princess of Auersperg-Trautson
- Maria Anna, Princess Peter Galitzine
- Catharina, Countess Maximiliano Secco d'Aragona
Descent of Maximilian :
- Archduchess Elisabeth, Mrs. James Litchfield
- Sophie, Princess of Windisch-Grätz
- Archduchess Marie Christine, Mrs. Clemens Guggenberg
Tuscany :
- Archduchess Marie Bernadette, Mrs. Rupert Wolff**
- Archduchess Katharina, Mrs. Niall Brooks**
- Archduchess Alicia**
- Archduchess Maria Christina**
- Archduchess Margaretha, Mrs. Andreas Baumgartner**
- Archduchess Marie Valerie, Mrs. Martin Josef Wagner**
- Archduchess Hedwig**
- Archduchess Veronika**
Palatines :
- Archduchess Johanna
- Archduchess Elisabeth
- Archduchess Celina
- Archduchess Maria Floriana
- Archduchess Sofía
- Archduchess Anna Carolina
- Archduchess Theresa
- Archduchess Sophie
- Archduchess Ladislaya
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20th generation | |
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- * also an infanta of Spain
- ** also a princess of Tuscany
- *** also a princess of Modena
- ° also a princess of Belgium
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