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Alfonso Bourbon-SicilianCount of Caserta, third son of Ferdinand II, King of the Two Sicilies
Date of Birth: 28.03.1841
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- The Life and Legacy of Prince Alfonso, Count of Caserta
- The Fall of the Kingdom and Exile
- Marriage and Family
- - Ferdinand Pius (1869-1960)
- Later Years and Legacy
The Life and Legacy of Prince Alfonso, Count of Caserta
Early Life and Royal LineagePrince Alfonso of Bourbon-Two Sicilies was born in Caserta, Italy, on March 28, 1841. He was the third son of King Ferdinand II of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. As the heir presumptive to the throne after his elder half-brother, Francis II, Alfonso stood next in line for the kingdom.
The Fall of the Kingdom and Exile
However, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ceased to exist due to the actions of Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1861. Alfonso and the royal family were forced into exile and settled in France. He never ascended to the throne that was his birthright.
Marriage and Family
On June 8, 1868, Alfonso married his cousin, Princess Maria Antonietta of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. The couple had a large family of ten children:
- Ferdinand Pius (1869-1960)
- Carlos Tancred (1870-1949)- Francesco (1873-1876)
- Maria Immacolata (1874-1947)
- Maria Cristina (1877-1947)
- Maria di Grazia Pia (1878-1973)
- Maria Giuseppina (1880-1971)
- Gennaro (1882-1944)
- Ranieri (1883-1973)
- Filippo (1885-1949)
- Francesco (1888-1914)
- Gabriel (1897-1975)
Military Service
Despite never ruling as King, Alfonso served with distinction in the military. He was awarded the Russian Order of Saint George, 4th degree, and other military honors.
Later Years and Legacy
Alfonso spent his later years in Cannes, France, where he died on May 26, 1934. He is remembered as a tragic figure, a prince who never had the opportunity to rule his beloved kingdom. However, his legacy lives on through his numerous descendants who continue to carry the Bourbon-Two Sicilies name.
