Alfonso XIII of Spain (1886 - 1941)
50 Centimo Kingdom of Spain (1874 - 1931) Silver Alfonso XIII of Spain (1886 - 1941)
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20 Peseta Kingdom of Spain (1874 - 1931) Gold Alfonso XIII of Spain (1886 - 1941)
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20 Centavo Puerto Rico Silver Alfonso XIII of Spain (1886 - 1941)
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SPAIN, Alfonso XIII, twenty pesetas, 1896 (restrike of 1962) (KM.709). Choice uncirculated.

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SPAIN, Alfonso XIII, twenty pesetas, 1887, restrike of 1962 (KM.693). Uncirculated.

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SPAIN, Alfonso XIII, twenty pesetas, 1887 (restrike of 1962) (KM.693). Choice uncirculated.
Alfonso XIII of Spain (1886 - 1941)from the Wikipedia
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Alfonso XIII
Rey Alfonso XIII de España, by Kaulak.jpg
King of Spain
Reign 17 May 1886 – 14 April 1931
Coronation 17 May 1902 (full age)
Predecessor Alfonso XII
Successor Niceto Alcalá-Zamora
as President of the Republic
Juan Carlos I
as King of Spain
Spouse Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg
Issue
more issue...
Alfonso, Prince of Asturias
Jaime, Duke of Segovia
Beatriz, Princess of Civitella-Cesi
Infanta Maria Christina, Countess Marone
Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona
Infante Gonzalo
Full name
Alfonso León Fernando María Jaime Isidro Pascual Antonio de Borbón y Austria-Lorena
House House of Bourbon
Father Alfonso XII
Mother Maria Christina of Austria
Born (1886-05-17)17 May 1886
Madrid, Spain
Died 28 February 1941(1941-02-28) (aged 54)
Rome, Kingdom of Italy
Burial El Escorial
Religion Christian (Roman Catholicism)

Alfonso XIII (Spanish: Alfonso León Fernando María Jaime Isidro Pascual Antonio de Borbón y Habsburgo-Lorena; English: Alphonse Leon Ferdinand Mary James Isidor Pascal Anthony of Bourbon and Habsburg-Lorraine; 17 May 1886 – 28 February 1941) was King of Spain from 1886 until 1931.

Alfonso was monarch from birth, as his father Alfonso XII had died the previous year. Until his 16th birthday in 1902, his mother, Maria Christina of Austria, served as his regent, in a period which saw Spain lose its Caribbean and Pacific colonies during the Spanish–American War. Due to family ties to both sides,[1] Alfonso kept his kingdom neutral in World War I (1914–1918).

From 1923 to 1930, Alfonso supported the dictator Miguel Primo de Rivera. In 1931, in the face of overwhelming popular rejection, Alfonso fled the country as the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed. In exile, he retained his claim to the throne until 1941, when he abdicated in favor of his son Juan. He died six weeks later. A plaza in Iloilo City, Philippines (now Plaza Libertad) was named in his honor called Plaza Alfonso XIII.[2]

Reign[edit]

Birth and regency[edit]

As he was born King, early coins from Alfonso's reign, such as this 20 pesetas from 1889, featured his portrait as a baby.

Alfonso was born in Madrid on 17 May 1886. He was the posthumous son of Alfonso XII of Spain, who had died in November 1885, and became King of Spain upon his birth. The French newspaper Le Figaro described the young king as "the happiest and best-loved of all the rulers of the earth".[3] His mother, Maria Christina of Austria, served as his regent until his 16th birthday. During the regency, in 1898, Spain lost its colonial rule over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines as a result of the Spanish–American War.

When he came of age in 1902, the week of his majority was marked by festivities, bullfights, balls and receptions throughout Spain.[4]

Engagement and marriage[edit]

By 1905, Alfonso was looking for a suitable consort. On a state visit to the United Kingdom, he stayed at Buckingham Palace with King Edward VII. There he met Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, the Scottish-born daughter of Edward's youngest sister Princess Beatrice, and a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. He found her attractive, and she returned his interest. There were obstacles to the marriage. Victoria was a Protestant, and would have to become a Catholic. Victoria's brother Leopold was a haemophiliac, so there was 50 percent chance that Victoria was a carrier of the trait. Finally, Alfonso's mother Maria Christina wanted him to marry a member of her family, the House of Habsburg-Lorraine or some other Catholic princess, as she considered the Battenbergs to be non-dynastic.

Victoria was willing to change her religion, and her being a haemophilia carrier was only a possibility. Maria Christina was eventually persuaded to drop her opposition. In January 1906 she wrote an official letter to Princess Beatrice proposing the match. Victoria met Maria Christina and Alfonso in Biarritz, France, later that month, and converted to Catholicism in San Sebastián in March.

Photograph taken moments after the assassination attempt on Alfonso and Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg on their wedding day.

In May, diplomats of both kingdoms officially executed the agreement of marriage. Alfonso and Victoria were married at the Royal Monastery of San Jerónimo in Madrid on 31 May 1906, with British royalty in attendance, including Victoria's cousins the Prince and Princess of Wales (later King George V and Queen Mary). The wedding was marred by an assassination attempt on Alfonso and Victoria by Catalan anarchist Mateu Morral. As the wedding procession returned to the palace, he threw a bomb from a window which killed or injured several bystanders and members of the procession.[5]

On 10 May 1907, the couple's first child, Alfonso, Prince of Asturias, was born. However, Victoria was in fact a haemophilia carrier, and Alfonso inherited the condition. He bled continuously for many hours after his circumcision.

Neither of the two daughters born to the King and Queen were haemophilia carriers, but another of their sons, Gonzalo (1914–1934), had the condition. Alfonso distanced himself from his Queen for transmitting the condition to their sons.[6]

From 1914 on, he had several mistresses, and fathered five illegitimate children. A sixth illegitimate child was born before his marriage.

World War I[edit]

During World War I, because of his family connections with both sides and the division of popular opinion, Spain remained neutral. The King established an office for assistance to prisoners of war on all sides. This office used the Spanish diplomatic and military network abroad to intercede for thousands of POWs – transmitting and receiving letters for them, and other services. The office was located in the Royal Palace.

Alfonso became gravely ill during the 1918 flu pandemic. Spain was neutral and thus under no wartime censorship restrictions, so his illness and subsequent recovery were reported to the world, while flu outbreaks in the belligerent countries were concealed. This gave the false impression that Spain was the most-affected area and led to the pandemic being dubbed "the Spanish Flu."[7]

Rif War and Primo de Rivera[edit]

Alfonso (left) in 1930 with his dictatorial Prime Minister, Miguel Primo de Rivera.

Following World War I, Spain entered the lengthy yet successful Rif War (1920–1926) to preserve its colonial rule over northern Morocco. Critics of the monarchy thought the war was an unforgivable loss of money and lives, and nicknamed Alfonso el Africano ("the African").[8] In 1923, General Miguel Primo de Rivera seized power in a military coup. He ruled as a dictator with Alfonso's support until 1930. The poetic Generation of '27 and Catalan and Basque nationalism grew in this era

Second Republic and Civil War[edit]

Postage stamps featuring Alfonso XIII, such as this 1930 issue, were overprinted when the Second Spanish Republic was declared in 1931.

In 1930, due to economic problems and general unpopularity, Primo de Rivera resigned. Alfonso as Primo de Rivera's ally shared the popular dislike. In April 1931, General José Sanjurjo told him even the army was not loyal. On 12 April, the republican parties won a landslide victory in municipal elections. On 14 April, he fled the country as the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed, but did not abdicate. He settled eventually in Rome.

In 1933, his two eldest sons, Alfonso and Jaime, renounced their claims to the throne, and in 1934 his youngest son Gonzalo died. This left his third son Juan, Count of Barcelona his only heir. Juan was the father of Juan Carlos I.

When the Spanish Civil War broke out, Alfonso made it clear he favored the "Nationalist" military rebels against the Republic. But in September 1936 the Nationalist leader, General Francisco Franco, declared that the Nationalists would not restore Alfonso as King. (The Nationalist army included many Carlist supporters of a rival pretender.)

Nevertheless, he sent his son Juan to Spain in 1936, to participate in the uprising. However, General Mola had Juan arrested near the French border and expelled from the country.

On 29 September 1936, upon the death of Infante Alfonso Carlos, Duke of San Jaime (also the Carlist pretender, but known to French legitimists as Charles XII), Alfonso also became the senior heir of Hugh Capet and so was hailed by legitimists as King Alphonse I of France and Navarre.

Abdication and death[edit]

On 15 January 1941, Alfonso XIII abdicated his rights to the Spanish throne in favor of Juan. He died in Rome on 28 February of that year.

In Spain, the dictator Franco ordered three days of national mourning.[9] His funeral was held in Rome in the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. Alfonso was buried in the Church of Santa Maria in Monserrato degli Spagnoli, the Spanish national church in Rome, immediately below the tombs of Pope Callixtus III and Pope Alexander VI.[10] In January 1980 his remains were transferred to El Escorial in Spain.[11]

Interests[edit]

Madrid's Hotel Palace was built on Alfonso's wishes in 1912.

Alfonso was a promoter of tourism in Spain. The need for the lodging of his wedding guests prompted the construction of the luxury Hotel Palace in Madrid. He also supported the creation of a network of state-run lodges (Parador) in historic buildings of Spain. His fondness for the sport of football led to the patronage of several "Royal" ("Real" in Spanish) football clubs, the first being Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña in 1907.[12] Selected others include Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Real Betis, Real Unión and Real Zaragoza.

Marriage and children[edit]

On 31 May 1906, Alfonso married Scottish-born Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg (1887–1969). A Serene Highness by birth, Ena, as she was known, was raised to Royal Highness status a month before her wedding to make the union equal.

Alfonso and Ena had six living children:

Illegitimate issue[edit]

Alfonso also had six illegitimate children:

By French aristocrat Mélanie de Gaufridy de Dortan (1876–1937), married to Joseph-Marie-Philippe Lévêque de Vilmorin, he had

  • Roger Marie Vincent Philippe Lévêque de Vilmorin (12 September 1905 – 20 July 1980)[14][15]

By Pauline of Saint Glen, he had

  • Charles Maxime Victor of Saint Glen (3 July 1914 – 20 May 1934).

By Béatrice Noon, he had

  • Juana Alfonsa Milán y Quiñones de León (19 April 1916 – 16 May 2005)

By Spanish actress María del Carmen Ruiz y Moragas (1898–1936):

  • Ana María Teresa Ruiz y Moragas (9 October 1925 – 6 September 1965)
  • Leandro Alfonso Luis Ruiz y Moragas (born 26 April 1929), officially recognized by Spanish Courts on 21 May 2003 as Leandro Alfonso Luis de Borbón y Ruiz Moragas

By Marie Sousa, he had

  • Alonso of Borbon Sousa (28 December 1930 – 30 April 1934).

Heraldry[edit]

Honours[edit]

Royal Monogram

In the Royal Library of Madrid, there are many books with different emblems and super libros of the king.[27]

Media[edit]

Alfonso XIII appears as "King Buby" in Luis Coloma's story of Ratoncito Pérez (1894), which was written for the King when he was 8 years old. The story of Ratoncito Pérez has been adapted into further literary works and movies since then, with the character of Alfonso XIII appearing in some. Alfonso XIII is also mentioned on the plaque to Ratoncito Pérez on the second floor of "la calle del Arenal".

Ancestry[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ his wife was British, his mother Austrian, amongst other family relationships.
  2. ^ http://iloiloilove.com/plaza-libertad-face-ilonggo-history/
  3. ^ "The Happiest Living Monarch", New York Times. 14 August 1889.
  4. ^ "Alfonso's Reign Begins on 17 May; He Will Take the Oath on That Day – Festivities to Last a Week," New York Times, 29 March 1902.
  5. ^ http://edwardianpromenade.com/weddings/royal-wedding-1-victoria-eugenie-alfonso-xiii/
  6. ^ http://www.elmundo.es/cronica/2002/339/1018871276.html
  7. ^ Barry 171.
  8. ^ http://www.rebelion.org/noticia.php?id=28088
  9. ^ "Mourning in Spain", The Times (3 March 1941): 3.
  10. ^ "Italians to Mourn Death of Alfonso," The New York Times. 2 March 1931.
  11. ^ "21 Guns for Dead King's Homecoming", The Times (21 January 1980): 4.
  12. ^ http://www.football-espana.net/clubs/Deportivo/history
  13. ^ Boletín Oficial del Estado
  14. ^ (French) XII. Roger de Vilmorin, sur Dynastie capétienne, consulté le 09/09/2013
  15. ^ (French) Jean-Fred Tourtchine (préf. Juan Balansó), Les manuscrits du C.E.D.R.E. – dictionnaire historique et généalogique, numéro 6 : Le royaume d'Espagne, vol. 3, Cercle d'Études des Dynasties Royales Européennes, Paris, 1996, 213 p. ISSN 0993-3964
  16. ^ Faustino Menéndez Pidal de Navascués; María del Carmen Iglesias (1999). Símbolos de España. ISBN 978-84-259-1074-6. 
  17. ^ a b Dotor, Santiag. "Discussion on the 1931 addition of Jerusalem arms". Royal Banner of Spain (1761–1931). Flags of the World. Retrieved 19 March 2013. 
  18. ^ Eduardo García-Menacho y Osset (2010). Introducción a la Heráldica y Manual de Heráldica Militar Española. Ministerio de Defensa. Subdir. Gral. Publicaciones. pp. 105–107. ISBN 978-84-9781-559-8. 
  19. ^ Ricardo Mateos Sáinz de Medrano (2007). La reina María Cristina: madre de Alfonso XIII y regente de España. ISBN 978-84-9734-638-2. 
  20. ^ Collier, William Miller. (1912). At the Court of His Catholic Majesty, pp. 35–36; Order of the Golden Fleece.
  21. ^ Miller, pp. 37–38; Orden de Carlos III (in Spanish).
  22. ^ Miller, pp. 39–39; Order of Santiago.
  23. ^ Miller, pp. 39–39; Order of Calatrava.
  24. ^ Miller, pp. 39–39; Order of Alcántara.
  25. ^ Miller, pp. 39–39; Order of Montesa.
  26. ^ "Japan to Decorate King Alfonso Today; Emperor's Brother Nears Madrid With Collar of the Chrysanthemum for Spanish King," New York Times, 3 November 1930; see also Nutail, Zelia. (1906). The Earliest Historical Relations Between Mexico and Japan, p. 2.
  27. ^ http://encuadernacion.realbiblioteca.es/index.php?p=searchexlibris&t=identificacion&i=3>

Bibliography[edit]

  • Churchill, Sir Winston. Great Contemporaries. London: T. Butterworth, 1937. Contains the most famous single account of Alfonso in the English language. The author, writing shortly after the Spanish Civil War began, retained considerable fondness for the ex-sovereign.
  • Noel, Gerard. Ena: Spain's English Queen. London: Constable, 1985. Considerably more candid than Petrie (see below) about Alfonso the private man, and about the miseries the royal family experienced because of its hemophiliac children.
  • Petrie, Sir Charles. King Alfonso XIII and His Age. London: Chapman & Hall, 1963. Written as it was during Queen Ena's lifetime, this book necessarily omits the King's extramarital affairs; but it remains a useful biography, not least because the author knew Alfonso quite well, interviewed him at considerable length, and relates him to the wider Spanish intellectual culture of his time.
  • Pilapil, Vicente R. Alfonso XIII. Twayne's rulers and statesmen of the world series 12. New York: Twayne, 1969.
  • Sencourt, Robert. King Alfonso: A Biography. London: Faber, 1942.

External links[edit]

Alfonso XIII of Spain
Born: 17 May 1886 Died: 28 February 1941
Regnal titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Alfonso XII
King of Spain
17 May 1886 – 14 April 1931
Vacant
Title next held by
Juan Carlos I
Titles in pretence
Loss of title — TITULAR —
King of Spain
14 April 1931 – 15 January 1941
Succeeded by
Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona
Preceded by
Alfonso Carlos of Bourbon, Duke of San Jaime
— TITULAR —
King of France and Navarre
29 September 1936 – 28 February 1941
Reason for succession failure:
Bourbon monarchy deposed in 1830
Succeeded by
Infante Jaime, Duke of Segovia
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Dwight F. Davis
Cover of Time Magazine
22 December 1924
Succeeded by
Charles Evans Hughes