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Baltasar CarlosPrince of Asturias, heir to the Spanish throne, son of King Philip IV and his first wife Isabella of Bourbon
Date of Birth: 17.10.1629
Country:  Spain |
Content:
- Balthasar Charles, Prince of Asturias
- Marriage Negotiations and Illness
- Death and Diagnosis
- Succession Crisis
Balthasar Charles, Prince of Asturias
Balthasar Charles (1629-1646) was the heir apparent to the Spanish throne as the son of King Philip IV and his first wife, Elizabeth of Bourbon.
Marriage Negotiations and Illness
In 1644, after extensive negotiations, it was agreed that Balthasar Charles would marry his cousin, Mariana of Austria, the daughter of Emperor Ferdinand III. The Prince embarked on a journey to northern Spain in 1646 to celebrate the Prince of Girona's oath. However, during a stopover in Pamplona, he fell gravely ill.
Death and Diagnosis
Balthasar Charles was transported to Zaragoza, where he passed away on October 9, 1646. Doctors initially diagnosed smallpox but later suggested a venereal disease. Modern scholars believe peritonitis was the likely cause of death.
Succession Crisis
The Prince's untimely demise left Philip without a direct heir, as his first wife had passed away in 1644. He was forced to remarry, choosing Balthasar Charles's betrothed, Mariana, whom he wed on November 8, 1649.
