Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Castro

Prince Ferdinand of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, The Duke of Castro (Ferdinando Maria Andrea Alfonso Marcus; 28 May 1926 20 March 2008) was a claimant to the headship of the former Royal House of the Two Sicilies.

Prince Ferdinand
Duke of Castro
Head of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies
Tenure13 January 1973 – 20 March 2008
PredecessorPrince Ranieri
SuccessorPrince Carlo
Born(1926-05-28)28 May 1926
Podzamcze, Poland
Died20 March 2008(2008-03-20) (aged 81)
Draguignan, France
SpouseChantal de Chevron-Villette
IssuePrincess Beatrice
Princess Anne
Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro
Full name
Ferdinando Maria Andrea Alfonso Marcus di Borbone
HouseBourbon-Two Sicilies
FatherPrince Ranieri, Duke of Castro
MotherCountess Maria Carolina Zamoyska
ReligionRoman Catholic

Biography

Ferdinand was born in Podzamcze, the son of Prince Ranieri, Duke of Castro, and his wife Countess Maria Carolina Zamoyska. His parents were first cousins, as his grandmothers were sisters. His paternal grandparents were also first cousins. He lived most of his life in France and was the first member of the Two Sicilian royal family to serve in the French Armed Forces.

Ferdinand succeeded as head of the House of the Bourbon-Two Sicilies on his father's death in 1973, having carried out the functions associated with the headship of the family since 1966. He was Sovereign of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George and of the Royal Order of Francis I. He was decorated with several dynastic and state orders.[1]

Ferdinand died in France on 20 March 2008.[2]

Marriage and children

Ferdinand was married in Giez on 23 July 1949 to Chantal de Chevron-Villette (1925–2005), and they had three children:

  • Princess Béatrice (born 16 June 1950 in Saint-Raphaël), who married Prince Charles Bonaparte on 19 December 1978 in Paris and has issue; divorced in 1989
    • Princess Caroline Bonaparte (born 24 October 1980) married Eric Alain Marie Quérénet-Onfroy de Bréville (born 28 June 1971) on 27 September 2009 in Castellabate nel Cilento, Italy; and has issue
    • Prince Jean-Christophe Bonaparte, The Prince Napoléon (born 11 July 1986)
  • Princess Anne (born 24 April 1957 in Saint-Raphaël) married Baron Jacques Cochin on 9 September 1977 in Roquebrunne-sur-Argens, and has issue; divorced
  • Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro (born 24 February 1963 in Saint-Raphaël) married Camilla Crociani on 31 October 1998 in Monte Carlo
    • Princess Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, The Duchess of Calabria (born 23 June 2003)
    • Princess Maria Chiara of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, The Duchess of Noto (born 1 January 2005)

Titles, style and Honours

Titles and style

  • 28 May 1926 – 7 January 1960: His Royal Highness Prince Ferdinand of Bourbon-Two Sicilies
  • 7 January 1960 – 13 January 1973: His Royal Highness Prince Ferdinand of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, The Duke of Calabria
  • 13 January 1973 - 20 March 2008: His Royal Highness Prince Ferdinand of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, The Duke of Castro

National honour

Foreign honour

Ancestry

References

Prince Ferdinand, Duke of Castro
Cadet branch of the House of Bourbon
Born: 28 May 1926 Died: 20 March 2008
Italian nobility
Preceded by
Prince Ranieri
Duke of Castro
13 January 1973 – 20 March 2008
Succeeded by
Prince Carlo
Titles in pretence
Preceded by
Ranieri
 TITULAR 
King of the Two Sicilies
13 January 1973 – 20 March 2008
Reason for succession failure:
Italian Unification under the House of Savoy
Succeeded by
Carlo

See also

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