Maria Christina De Borbon-Dos Sicilias (1806-1878)

Spanish Royalty. She married King Fernando VII of Spain to become his fourth wife. Fernando was her uncle by birth and by marriage. The new queen, Maria Christina, rapidly gave birth to two daughters, Isabel and the Infanta Doña María Luísa Fernanda. When Ferdinand died Maria Christina became regent for their daughter Isabel. Isabel's claim to the crown was disputed by her uncle, the Infante Don Carlos María Isidro Benito, Count de Molina, who claimed that Ferdinand had unlawfully changed the succession law to permit females to inherit the crown. Some supporters of Carlos went so far as to claim that Ferdinand had actually bequeathed the crown to his brother but that Maria Christina had hidden that fact. It was also alleged that the Queen had signed her dead husband's name to a decree recognizing Isabel as heir. Carlos' attempt to seize power resulted in the Carlist Wars. Despite considerable support for Carlos from the Roman Catholic Church and conservative elements in Spain, Maria Christina successfully retained the throne for her daughter. Shortly after the death of Fernando VII, Maria Christina secretly married an ex-sergeant from the royal guard, Don Fernando Muñoz y Sanchez (1808 to 1873). Maria Christina and Muñoz had several children together while trying to keep their marriage a secret. Eventually, news of Maria Christina's marriage to low-ranking soldier became public. That news made Maria Christina deeply unpopular and undermind her position as Regent. The army, which was the backbone of Isabel II's support, demanded that Maria Christina stand aside from the regency. In 1840, the army commander, General Baldomero Esparto, replaced her as regent. The new government required the ex-regent to leave Spain. After an unsuccessful attempt to return to power, Maria Christina retired permanently to exile in France.

Bio by: Bunny Boiler