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The Head of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies,
as explained in the page dedicated to the management
of the Constantinian Order, also holds the Grand Magister
of this Order.
When in 1894 Francis II, the last King of the Two Sicilies,
died heirless, the rank of Head of the Royal House -
and therefore Grand Master of the Constantinian Order
and other dynastic orders - went first to his brother
Alfonso, Count of Caserta (1894-1934), and then to his
son Ferdinand Pious (1934-1960); since also the latter
had no male heir, this position went to his brother
Ranieri (1960-1966), and then to his son Ferdinand,
Duke of Castro, present Head of the Royal House of Bourbon
Two Sicilies and Grand Master of the Sacred Military
Constantinian Order.
An issue arose some time ago - which in reality is just
a false problem, as we will now simply and unquestionably
explain - between the lineage of the Bourbon lawfully
entitled to the Grand Magister of the Order -i.e. the
Bourbon Two Sicilies - and a Prince of the Spanish Royal
Family, who is claiming some rights over his entitlement
to the Bourbon family of the Two Sicilies and therefore
the Constantinian Order.
The issue, as said, has been now peacefully solved:
however, since the propaganda led by this prince could
mix up the ideas of non experts and mislead others,
we quickly give details on this matter and try to provide
a clear and unquestionable explanation of the truth.
The
terms of the matter: the Deed of Cannes
Alfonso,
Count of Caserta |
As
already said, since there are no doubts on the
entitlement of the Royal House of Bourbon Two
Sicilies to the Grand Magistery of the Sacred
Military Constantinian Order, the situation is
clear since 1960. In fact, after the death of
the last King of the Two Sicilies, Francis II,
in 1894 without heirs, the title of Head of the
Royal House and therefore Grand Master of the
Order went to his brother Alfonso, Count of Caserta
(1841-1938).
Alfonso had twelve children. His first-born, Ferdinand
Pious, from 1934 to the year of his death, 1960,
was in all respects the Head of the Royal House
and Grand Master of the Order. He had five children,
of which only one son, who died in young age in
1914. At this point the entitlement of the Royal
House and Order had to pass to Alfonso’s
second son, Charles Maria (1870-1949). But it
was not so, and it was lawfully correct. |
And
here is the origin of the issue, easily solved, both
historically and legally. In fact, something of a great
importance occurred and the whole issued could be therefore
explained.
As everybody knows, in 1861 the Bourbon Two Sicilies
lost their Kingdom. But the Spanish lineage of the Bourbon
Family had strengthened the Crown of Spain with Alfonso
XII and assured the succession with the posthumous birth
of Alfonso XIII on 17 May 1886
Ferdinand
Pious,
Duke of Calabria |
The
Count of Caserta (Francis II’s brother and
his heir), who lived in Cannes and desired to
resume relations with the Royal family of Spain,
asked for his children Ferdinand Pious
and Charles to be educated in Madrid and become
part of the officers of the Spanish army. In this
context, the marriage between the Infant Maria
de las Mercedes, Princess of the Asturias and
Charles of Bourbon, second-born of Alfonso Count
of Caserta was arranged.
Their wedding was celebrated on 14 February 1901,
and the offspring of this union was Alfonso of
Bourbon, born on 30 November 1901. |
Ranieri,
Duke of Calabria
Duke of Castro |
However,
to marry the Infant of Spain (and therefore hope
to ascend the Throne of Madrid), Charles of Bourbon
had to fully renounce all his rights over the
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (and therefore over
the Sacred Military Constantinian Order) for himself
and all his descendants, as well as all properties
linked to them.
Which punctually occurred, and
in a solemn way, both historically and legally,
through the Deed of Cannes of 14 December
1900, by which Prince Charles, before
many witnesses and his brothers Ferdinand Pious
and Ranieri, appeared «D.
Alfonso of Bourbon, Count
of Caserta (…) Head of the Royal House and
Dynasty of the Two Sicilies» and
declared that «since
he had to marry Her Royal Highness the Infant
Donna Maria Mercedes, Princess of the Asturias,
an by this wedding assume
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the
nationality and
title of Spanish Prince, he would solemnly renounce
– as he does by this Deed – for himself
and His Heirs and Successors, all rights to the succession
of the Crown of the Two Sicilies and all Assets of the
Royal House in Italy and abroad and this in compliance
with our family laws, constitutions and habits, and
in compliance with the Proclamation of King Charles
III, our Augustus Ancestor, issued on 6 October 1759,
to whose provisions he freely declares to abide».
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